FRUSTRATED town councillors have criticised an MP for delaying the submission of a motion for a debate in the House of Commons regarding new sulphur emission regulations.

Harwich Town Council wrote to Harwich and North Essex MP six weeks ago imploring him to submit an Early Day Motion in Parliament to discuss new sulphur laws which are threatening ferry crossings.

Mr Jenkin has yet to submit the motion but in a letter to the council said he had drafted it and was confirming the final wording.

Former MP Ivan Henderson believes it is unacceptable.

“It takes five minutes and some members will file about four of these in a single day, you are just flagging something which is a concern,” he said.

“It is disrespectful and wrong and he would be laughed at in Parliament for saying that.”

Tough rules will be introduced in January, which means sulphur emissions for ships must be slashed.

DFDS Seaways has been forced to pull the plug on the Harwich to Esbjerg crossing, with the last ship set to dock on September 29 because of spiralling costs.

Mr Jenkin said: “I have been on this issue for more than two years and have had meetings with minsters about it.

“Sadly, the EU has already agreed this directive, and we are fighting a rear-guard action.

“This is the kind of problem which needs to be renegotiated in our new relationship with the European Union.

“I have raised the issue with the Maritime and Ports Parliamentary Group, and I am seeking to get them all behind the motion I am tabling.

“There is no point in tabling a motion all on my own, and Labour in Harwich should know that.

“It is rather sad that Labour councillors in Harwich are always sniping behind my back, even though they are nice to me when I am with them.

“We should all be doing our best for Harwich.”