A LABOUR MP has accused his government of acting as apologists for Eurostar over its decision to downgrade services from Ashford International station.

In a scathing attack during a Commons debate, the Hastings and Rye backbencher Michael Foster said he hoped ministers would step in to block Eurostar's plans.

His criticism appeared to secure a U-turn from the transport minister Tom Harris, who recently rejected calls from Kent MPs for a meeting to discuss the cuts.

The minister told MPs he would now be "more than happy" to meet a delegation.

During an Adjournment debate, Mr Foster said: "The Government may not yet fully understand all the circumstances. I have to say, with the greatest respect, that they almost certainly appear to be apologists for Eurostar's woeful decision about Ashford."

He was supported by Ashford MP Damian Green, who said the refusal of ministers to meet with him and Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard to discuss the cutbacks was a "shameful state of affairs".

Mr Foster said the reduction in trains to and from Paris and the ending of a direct service to Brussels from Ashford were "wholly unnecessary" and "could herald the end of that important terminus".

Eurostar was issuing misleading information about possible car journey times to Ebbsfleet from parts of the south east that could only be achieved "in the dead of night" or with a police escort, he added.

"It is clear the curtailment of international services from Ashford is in direct conflict with the Government's policy to alleviate road traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions and regenerate economically deprived areas in East Sussex and Kent."

Ashford was the perfect centre for travel to the continent, yet Eurostar was intent on "moving millions of existing and potential passengers away from rail services and making them transfer to road, other stations or even to air".

Transport minister Tom Harris insisted he was not a "spokesman for Eurostar" but defended the company's plans, saying it was a "valid commercial judgement" for the company to rule out the idea of stopping every train from Ebbsfleet at Ashford if it could deter passengers.