WIRRAL West’s MP yesterday almost risked being asked to leave the public inquiry after being told to stick to the point.

Stephen Hesford, who travelled back from London after Monday night’s meeting of the Parliamentary Labour party – at which Prime Minister Gordon Brown battled for the survival of his Premiership – was passionate about library closures.

He was quick to criticise the council’s plans after they were made public late last year and was prominent in campaigning against them.

Yesterday, his determination to make his points and continue his criticism of Wirral council appeared to frustrate inquiry chairman Sue Charteris.

She insisted he stick to the main areas of evidence and had earlier warned people not to try to make party political points.

Mr Hesford criticised the council for submitting evidence late last Friday.

He said: “It is unfortunate in a process which has taken almost six months, the council has had to produce two proofs [of evidence] within two weeks.”

Ms Charteris said she had allowed the council to submit its evidence late so it could read other people’s responses to information put into the inquiry