The new boss of Essex Radio in Southend has accused MP Christine Butler of abusing her powers to slate the firm in Parliament.

Mark Lee claimed the campaign to save the local character of Essex FM and Breeze AM during the GWR takeover was "devoid of factual evidence" and accused Mrs Butler, the MP for Castle Point, of using Parliamentary privilege to say things about the stations which he claimed were untrue.

In an angry letter to in-house industry publication, The Radio Magazine, he also claimed GWR's programme director received a death threat.

Mrs Butler, who called for more protection of local radio output in the House of Commons last month, rejected the claims aimed at her and accused Mr Lee of acting "disgracefully".

She said she passionately believed in keeping the local nature of the radio station and said she was in Parliament to speak for the people not GWR.

In the letter published in last week's edition of the magazine Mr Lee said: "There was disquiet that GWR Group would somehow damage the stations and change them in a way that would dismay listeners. This campaign was high on emotion but devoid of factual evidence."

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