A WOMAN thanked Colchester MP Bob Russell for using Parliamentary privilege to raise the case of her allegedly “botched” loft conversion.

Mr Russell invoked the powers, which meant he could accuse a builder of shoddy work without being sued.

Mr Russell told the Commons Lisa Handley’s home, in Claudius Walk, Colchester, was rendered almost unsaleable because of “sub-standard work” by Robin Kiddle.

He alleged Ms Handley had been left with a £90,000 bill to put right Cavendish Conversions’ work in 2005.

Mr Russell was criticised for using Parliamentary privilege to protect him against legal action for the comments he made about Mr Kiddle.

Ms Handley defended the Lib Dem, saying Parliament was the only avenue left open to her after all other bids for redress failed.

Ms Handley said: “Mr Russell has done fantastic work.

“He understands this was the last opportunity we had to get this out there.

“This was the only way to expose what has been going on and the flaws in the system, which is supposed to be there to protect consumers.”

Mr Kiddle strenously denied the claims of poor workmanship. He said he had sought a meeting with Mr Russell to share his side of the story.

But Mr Russell refused because he was not a constituent.

Mr Kiddle said: “I can’t believe he has not tried to find out my side of the story before he acuses me of being a dodgy builder. I don’t think that’s fair.”

He said he had completed the work and called in a building inspector who found three minor defects.

Mr Kiddle said he promised to deal with the defects the following day.

But when he arrived at the house he was told he was off the job, he said.

He said he was still owed about £12,000 for the work he carried out and defects now visible in the loft were not of his making Mr Kiddle said: “I think Bob Russell is totally wrong.

“I have phoned his office, but they say I can’t speak to him.

“I’m putting together a letter to ask him again to sit down with me and hear my side of the story.”

Mr Russell said he would not talk to Mr Kiddle because he was not his MP.

He said: “My concerns are with my constituent, to try and get her justice.

“If he has any complaints he will have to go elsewhere.

“There is zero point in meeting Mr Kiddle unless he is prepared to pay Miss Handley for the costs to her home.

“I think it’s perfectly in order for an MP to bring to the public’s attention how a constituent has been aggrieved.

“Parliament is there for situations just like this.”