UPDATED 11:08*
FRESH evidence of a 'sweetheart deal’ between the Conservative government and Surrey County Council has prompted renewed criticism of Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner from Labour Cllr Geoff Lumley.
When claims of a deal between the council and the government over social care funding emerged last month, Cllr Lumley hit out at Andrew Turner for failing to secure extra funding from his Tory colleagues for the Island.
But Cllr Lumley was accused of 'getting his facts wrong’ by Mr Turner, who denied there had been such a deal and said the Labour councillor failed to appreciate how government worked.
On Tuesday, a leaked recording emerged in which Surrey Council leader David Hodge told colleagues he had secured a 'gentleman’s agreement’ with the government. As a result the council dropped plans to hold a referendum on raising council tax by 15 per cent to pay for social care.
Following the fresh twist, Cllr Lumley said: "Clearly our failing Conservative MP hadn't a clue how things work in the real world of political 'give and take' when your party is in power. We now have hard evidence there was a sweetheart deal for Surrey and I look forward to receiving his apology and hearing the Prime Minister's apology to parliament.
"Perhaps Mr Turner would like some advice from Labour on how to secure a deal for the Island from his Conservative government? I can put him in touch with Labour MPs and council leaders across Britain who knew how to pressure Labour governments."


* In a statement today (Thursday)Mr Turner said: "Just because the Labour leader makes an assertion, it does not mean it is true — even Cllr Lumley should be able to see that. 

"Discussions take place between the Government and local councils all the time. For instance the previous administration of the Isle of Wight Council had private talks about their proposed Solent Deal which were 'secret’ until their plans were made public. That does not mean it was a sweetheart deal.

"Assurances have been given that Surrey County Council has not been offered any 'deal’ that is not available to other councils. 

"Surrey may join a scheme, along with a number of other councils that will permit them to keep 100 per cent of their business rates from April this year. 

"That does not make it a sweetheart deal. I assume Cllr Lumley does not think that the Isle of Wight should have applied to be in that scheme. If he does, he should make that clear.?"