'I'd like to stick his head down the loo and flush': MP's fury at Environment Agency boss Chris Smith on visit to flooded Somerset

 
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Robin de Peyer7 February 2014
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Under fire Environment Agency boss Chris Smith was today threatened by an MP who said he would like to "stick his head down the loo" during a visit to the flood-hit Somerset levels.

Conservative Bridgewater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger branded Lord Smith a "coward" and a "little git" in the furious outburst, in which he also called for him to quit.

The Environment Agency chairman was today embarking on his first visit to Somerset since storms left huge swathes of land under water and hundreds of homes flooded or cut off.

Tough journey: a motorist drives through rising flood waters in Moorland, Somerset (Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Ahead of the visit, Mr Liddell-Grainger said: "'I will tell him what I bloody well think of him - he should go, he should walk. I'm livid. This little git has never even been on the telephone to me. When I find out where he is, I will give it to him.

"'He has not told the local MPs, the local council or the local press where he is going to be. He's a coward."

The outburst followed an ominous message earlier suggesting Lord Smith would be faced with an angry mob of farmers upon his arrival in Somerset as communities prepared to vent their frustration at the lack of progress made in tackling the flooding.

"I've got all my farmers, we're waiting for him," the MP said. "I want to get this ruddy man.

Under fire: Chris Smith Picture: Jeremy Selwyn

"If I just have to stick his head down the loo and flush, I will."

Lord Smith today faced questions about his own position as Environment Agency chair, insisting he would remain in the role.

"I have no intention of resigning because I'm very proud of the work the Environment Agency and its staff have been doing right round the country in the face of the most extreme weather," he said.

But his bullish reaction was met with yet more fury from locals.

Jim Winkworth, a farmer and landlord of the King Alfred pub in the tiny village of Burrow Bridge, said he was "bloody mad" after Lord Smith had failed to provide answers to his questions.

Speaking to the media after his meeting with the Environment Agency boss, Mr Winkworth was clearly angry and emotional.

Devastation: communities in Somerset have been cut off during the flooding. Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Asked how he felt by Lord Smith's refusal to apologise, he said: "Bloody mad. We thought that's the least he could do today and he's not apologising or admitting any liability.

"He hasn't come down here to apologise, which is what he should be here for.

"If you apologise it means you're admitting you got it wrong, I made a mistake, I'm sorry, I messed up but he's not fit to do that."

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