A city MP is calling for a multi-agency meeting to discuss the problems caused by squatters following a serious city centre fire earlier this month.

The blaze damaged a boarded up building occupied by squatters in Richmond Place, near The Level.

David Lepper, Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion, raised the issue several months ago after complaints from the residents' association of nearby flats.

He said: "The residents' concern was that squatters had moved in because the building had not been properly boarded up.

"There were also worries about drug dealing in the area.

"The building is privately owned and that means there are limits on what the city council or the police can do to ease the fears of local people, well-founded in this case, that the building was a safety risk."

The MP has asked for a meeting with councillors, the police and council officials.

He said: "This will review if there was more that could have been done earlier in the year to put pressure on the owner and reduce the risk of fire.

"I also want to know if there are loopholes in the law that prevent effective action being taken.

"If so, I can raise them in Parliament, particularly while the Government's Antisocial Behaviour Bill is being considered.

"Unfortunately, there are also other long-abandoned, privately-owned buildings in the area. Now is the time to take the necessary action."

Queen's Park Labour councillor Simon Burgess said he supported the call for a meeting and would attend.