An MP has accused opponents of “sour grapes” over his campaign for the government to release £420 million to revamp a hospital.

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby has been stepping up his support for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton in recent months.

But Labour activists claim the Conservative politician is using issue as an attempt to win support ahead of the general election in 2015.

Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “Our local MP has not attended any of the public meetings about the hospital, which I chair as the local councillor, for three years.

“He has asked no questions in the House of Commons to either the current Secretary of State for Health or his predecessor.

“He didn't know when planning permission was granted, and is only now ‘campaigning’ for the money after civil servants have indicated that the eighteen month delay in making a decision is about to come to an end.

“We need a modern NHS hospital in the city, why has the government dragged its feet for so long, and why has Mr Kirby done nothing about it till now?”

In response, Mr Kirby claimed they were “petty attacks” which were “intentionally misleading”.

He said: “My hospital campaign is about bringing the community together to make a strong case to the Government for funding to be released.

“It is a shame Labour cannot get behind the campaign, as I think something which is so important to the city should be above party politics.

“However, to accuse this Government of dragging its feet is particularly bizarre, when Labour had 13 years to give Brighton the hospital it deserves.”

Mr Kirby added he had sent his apologies to the regular meetings which were held when he was in parliament.

Hospital chiefs said news on the release of the funding from the Treasury was expected “imminently”.