FORMER Clacton MP Ivan Henderson has hit out at current MP Douglas Carswell for “hypocritical” comments he made about heating payments to pensioners.

Ivan Henderson, Labour’s parliamentary spokesman for Clacton, said he was angry with Mr Carswell’s comments.

Mr Henderson said when he was the area’s MP he voted to reduce VAT on domestic fuel to help with winter heating payments for pensioners, but that the Conservative Party voted against it.

Last week, Mr Carswell said helping pensioners in the district caught out by the rapid increase in fuel prices was his priority in the new Parliamentary term.

Mr Henderson said: “As the local MP, I watched as the Conservatives voted against every measure that the Labour government brought in to improve things for the elderly.

“It is blatant hypocrisy for Douglas Carswell to portray himself as the pensioners’ friend.

Following Mr Henderson’s comments, Mr Carswell said: “I’m sorry that once again party politics is being brought into this.

“It is my job to speak up for my constituents, and making sure pensioners can heat their homes is my priority.

“It is sad that this has triggered a party-political and personal reaction.”