GLASGOW'S Labour MPs have been accused of "shameful" behaviour after failing to turn up for a Commons debate on Post Office closures.

GLASGOW'S Labour MPs have been accused of "shameful" behaviour after failing to turn up for a Commons debate on Post Office closures.

Although most of them have voiced concern about the re-structuring, the SNP revealed that Mohammad Sarwar, Ann Mckechin, Ian Davidson, John Robertson, Tom Harris and David Marshall did not show for the debate at Westminster last Thursday.

City nationalist MSPs Sandra White and Bob Doris criticised their absence.

Ms White said: "Glasgow Labour MPs have shown blatant disregard for their constituents by firstly voting for these closures and secondly not even bothering to turn up to debate the issue in the House of Commons."

Her Holyrood colleague Mr Doris said: "Not only have they previously voted for the process that is leading to our Post Offices being closed by Labour, but they cannot even be bothered to attend the debate. They should be ashamed of themselves."

However, the criticisms were rejected by Glasgow North West MP John Robertson, who today presented a 2000-strong petition to the Commons.

Mr Robertson said he had intended to contribute to last Thursday's debate but had another engagement with Phonepay Plus - the regulatory body for premium rate services - as chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Communications.

He said he was particularly concerned about the future of post offices in Kingsridge, Drumchapel, Crow Road and Temple.

He added: "I have collected 2000 names to my petition against the closure of Post Offices in my constituency.

"Other Labour MPs throughout Glasgow are mounting similar campaigns. In all of this I have received no assistance or help from the SNP MSPs in Glasgow, who have done nothing but snipe at the work we have been doing in our campaign to save post offices."

In a letter to Sally Buchanan, the Post Office's Network Development Manager, Mr Robertson criticised the closure programme as "flawed" and "extremely detrimental" to his constituents.

Despite their current opposition, all Glasgow Labour MPs voted for the closures in 2002.

Twenty-two post offices in Glasgow are scheduled to shut under the plans.

Ms White has lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament condemning the "uncertainty and distress" created by the proposal.

It also criticised the Glasgow Labour MPs for not attending last week's debate.