MP John Hayes has summoned senior court service staff to Parliament so he can spell out his opposition to the closure of Spalding Magistrates’ Court “by stealth”.
Leading members of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service and the chairman of the South Lincolnshire Magistrates’ bench will meet the South Holland and The Deepings MP on Tuesday.
Solicitors raised the alarm after services were stripped out one by one and more and more Spalding cases were listed 30 miles away in Grantham.
Mr Hayes has already spoken to the Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling, and says pressure to close the court isn’t coming from the top.
The MP will insist no further measures are taken which would make it more likely that the Spalding court closes, such as changes to its listings.
He said: “We also need to re-examine the custody facilities there following a highly questionable report that they are not suitable for prisoners.
“The bottom line is that I am not content to see the magistrates’ court closed by stealth. I get the impression there is no pressure coming from the top for the closure – this is coming from the court service.”