MP SUFFERS PHONES FIASCO

Lewes MP Norman Baker wants a meeting with BT chairman Sir Christopher Bland to discuss the situation.

The transfer of Mr Baker's three telephone lines had still not been completed on Wednesday after a month of waiting.

Said Mr Baker: 'Not only have BT failed to install lines to the new office but they cut off the telephone lines from the old office and, despite requests, even failed to put a divert in place which would enable constituency calls to be re-directed.

'This means that anyone calling my constituency office will simply have heard a disconnected signal.

'I cannot believe the sheer incompetence and lack of professionalism of BT.

'This whole matter has been a shambles from start to finish and bears a stark resemblance to the Monty Python gas board sketch where plenty of people turn up but no-one appears remotely capable of getting anything done.

'BT provided a whole succession of promises about when the telephone lines would be up and running, all which have all been broken, and this has severely impaired the ability of my constituency office to work to the standard that we usually do.

'I am also upset that many of my constituents will undoubtedly have been trying to get in touch with me but could not, because of this unbelievable mess.'

A BT spokesman said: 'We have been in regular contact with Mr Baker and are urgently working with him to ensure he has the full and correct service that he requires as quickly as is possible.

'Clearly BT would wish to apologise to Mr Baker and his constituents for any inconvenience this delay in the provision of service has caused.

'We are also fully investigating the history of this order to see what may have happened to cause this situation to arise.'