The leader of Hertsmere Borough Council has criticised Secretary of State Peter Mandelson for refusing to respond to an invitation to visit Bushey to see the impact of a controversial post office closure.

Councillor Morris Bright labelled a long delayed letter written on behalf of Mr Mandelson about the February closure of the Moatfield Post office as “wholly unsatisfactory”. He added: “I think we are more concerned and more upset that Lord Mandelson the business secretary was prepared to get up publicly and say the post offices were safe in his hands but didn't have the time to see one that was threatened with closure and ultimately did close in Bushey.”

Bushey St James Councillor Laura Gray added to Councillor Bright's criticisms saying the consultation process, including the Moatfield office being added to the closure list at the last minute was flawed.

The post office letter said the proper consultation and closure process was followed and that “Post Office Ltd had to make some hard choices when deciding which offices to close”.