Flooding row over Cameron visit

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David Cameron has defended the work of a Tory-led council administration criticised by Labour politicians for its response to recent flooding.

Many parts of Dumfries and Galloway were badly affected after the heaviest November day's rainfall on record.

On a visit to Dumfries the Tory leader said the council's efforts had been "very good" and "effective".

However, Dumfries and Galloway Labour MP Russell Brown said their response had been "hopelessly inadequate".

Mr Cameron was visiting an emergency response centre in Dumfries before heading to Cumbria where November floods did even greater damage.

Local people want fast action following the floods which devastated many local residents and businesses right across Dumfries and Galloway Russell Brown MP

He said he wanted to see first hand the effects of the flooding and how it had been handled by the local authority.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has a Tory-Lib Dem minority administration with the Conservatives having the larger representation.

Their party leader praised the response by emergency services and the local council, singling out the "excellent communication" between the agencies.

He rejected claims that their actions had been inadequate.

"I think the response was effective - it was very good," he said.

"I'm not here to highlight people's shortcomings.

"I'm here to learn the lessons and to understand more about what happened."

He said there were "many more things" which could be done to prevent flooding.

"There's a lot that can be done but we also have to remember that the level of rainfall on 19 November was completely unprecedented, and I don't think it's right to try and find a scapegoat," he added.

However, he was accused of committing a "timing gaffe" as his visit coincided with a council debate on the handling of the floods.

'Get a grip'

Labour MP Mr Brown said: "Local businesses and residents were scathing at the hopelessly inadequate response from the Tory council.

"Local people want fast action following the floods which devastated many local residents and businesses right across Dumfries and Galloway.

"As David Cameron is posing for photographs, councillors will be debating motions criticising their response to the floods and demanding they get a grip on things."

Mr Cameron said that although it had been nearly a month since the floods, he was the only party leader to have visited Dumfries.

"Perhaps the Labour people need to ask where their own leaders are before they start criticising me for coming," he said.