RADICAL plans to bring the “unaccountable” heads of powerful Merseyside quangos under control were in disarray last night when the Tories announced a surprise boycott.
The Conservatives said they would refuse to appoint members to regional select committees, arguing they were “a complete waste of time”.
In a separate dispute, the Liberal Democrats will also boycott the new set-up, due to start within weeks, accusing the Government of “stuffing the committees full of Labour MPs”.
The dual protest leaves ministers in the embarrassing position of setting up committees with 100% Labour membership.
It is also a bitter blow to Gordon Brown, who announced the new committees within days of entering No. 10.
Last night, government sources insisted ministers would press ahead, dismissing suggestions they would now lack legitimacy.
The source said: “It is the express will of the Commons that these committees should be set up, following the vote last November. Nominations are a matter for the parties concerned.”
