BRIDGWATER and West Somerset's MP has been called out in parliament after referring to one of the county's top civil servants as 'Cruella Deville' during a debate on intimidation in elections.

MP Ian Liddell-Grainger used parliamentary privilege to launch a tirade against Taunton Deane Borough Council during a debate in the House of Commons today.

But he was stopped in his tracks and questioned about his 'inappropriate comments' by Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson, who represents East Dunbartonshire.

Ms Swinson asked whether it was appropriate for Mr Liddell-Grainger to compare the chief executive of Taunton Deane Borough and West Somerset Councils, Penny James, to 101 Dalmatians villain Cruella Deville.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said in the House of Commons: "In an extraordinary interview last week, Taunton Deane's chief executive, we'll call her Cruella Deville - in a Local Government magazine said she was trying to turn the screw on the secretary of state, I'm sure he's frightfully excited, and that if the secretary of state did not give the green light for the rotten borough to take over West Somerset, she would sail away and let my district council down."

But Mr Liddell-Grainger gave the floor to Ms Swinson, who responded: "I'm not entirely sure of the ins and outs of the particular issue or its relevance to this particular debate, but does the honourable gentleman think that in a debate about the intimidation of candidates it is appropriate to use the 'Cruella Deville' reference about the chief executive?"

Mr Liddell-Grainger's replied: "I thank the honourable lady and I understand her concerns but if she understood the civil servant involved she'd probably join me."

During a no-hold-barred diatribe Mr Liddell-Grainger also referred to Taunton Deane Borough Council leader John Williams as 'Johnny Rotten' and went on the record saying the way Taunton Deane had presented the results of the consultation regarding the future of the two councils was “deliberately designed to mislead the Government.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger stood by his comment when questioned by the Somerset County Gazette.

Taunton Deane Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.