A war of words over the school places crisis in east Twickenham has broken out after a councillor criticised Twickenham MP Vince Cable's "minimal involvement".

Plans for a new primary free school to open in time for September in east Twickenham fell through last month.

Bellevue Place Education Trust (BPET) now plans to open Deer Park School in North Sheen instead of the preferred site at Ryde House in Richmond Road, which has now been acquired by supermarket chain Lidl.

Dr Cable said he contacted the German store to discuss the possibility of the school co-existing with it on the site and said he received a "positive response".

But with plans for Richmond Bridge School to open this autumn now dead in the water, the Business Secretary has demanded answers from the council.

Richmond Council's cabinet member for education Councillor Paul Hodgins has criticised Dr Cable for using the issue for "election purposes".

He said: " I was extremely disappointed to see Vince Cable again using his minimal involvement in Ryde House and school places in east Twickenham for his election purposes."

Coun Hodgins claimed the Conservative administration have expanded in Twickenham, where the Lib Dems "failed".

He added: "I don't remember Vince Cable seeking answers about that when his colleagues were in administration, and the mess in east Twickenham that they left.

"BPET announced it was going into London House because it wants to be in our borough, and needed to give certainty for 2015.

"They, as well as others, are still interested in further provision in our borough."

Dr Cable said the Conservative administration was "seriously embarrassed" over its record of finding schools places for children.

He said: "I think, first of all, there is an element of serious embarrassment by the council because they were singled out by the government for having the worst record in England in terms of planning for schools places and being able to provide for children.

"It is very clear they missed the opportunity to acquire the Lidl site [at Ryde House] before last November and the opportunity of a joint-school use arose because I approached the company.

"They may not like it but had I not done that the opportunity would not have come."

He added the situation was exasperated by the previous Conservative administration’s "major failure" to secure a site at Richmond Lock, which was sold to a luxury developer.

Parents continue to fight for a primary school in east Twickenham, with more than 200 people having signed a petition.

To view the details, visit e-voice.org.uk/etwickschool.