MP Michael Fabricant has called in the council ombudsman over a decision to axe care homes in the county.

The Lichfield MP has accused Staffordshire County Council of incompetence following the move.

He has referred the authority to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Earlier this week the council confirmed its decision to close 14 care homes.

The Conservative MP claims the council had been aware of funding difficulties for the homes for some time but had taken no action.

Council leader Councillor John Taylor rejected his claim saying the policy would bring £19million into services for the elderly.

Mr Fabricant said: “Whether it be the closure of care homes, the fiasco of job revaluation with a third of council staff being told to take massive pay cuts, or the sale of Staffordshire-owned farms, a common thread runs through them all – the council ignoring the signs until it is too late and a major crisis beingthe consequence.”

He accused the council of being “incompetents.”

Councillor Taylor replied: “He is using the issue of care homes, and anything else he can think of, to do nothing but score political points.”