Public calls for performance updates on the failing Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) to be published were rejected by councillors at Thursday’s full council meeting.

A petition signed by 1,654 people forced Redbridge Council to debate the motion which called for statistics to be made available by the BHRUT on the performance of King George Hospital, in Barley Lane, Goodmayes, and Queen’s Hospital, in Rom Valley Way, Romford.

Council Leader Keith Prince dismissed Cllr Andy Walker (Independent, Chadwell) who organised the petition, and his efforts as “overkill”.

He said: “We are not the Spanish Inquisition. Lee Scott MP for Ilford North is working very hard to persuade the Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt to keep A & E open.

“We talk weekly about it, we very committed to keeping A&E at King George’s Hospital open.

“Cllr Walker constant attempts to change to have debate after debate is weakening the issue - it is overkill.”