AN MP claimed it was “odd” he and fellow politicians were not immediately briefed on Southend Hospital’s evacuation last week.

Sir David Amess, Tory MP for Southend West, criticised the hospital, saying it was ridiculous he found out about it through the media.

The hospital was evacuated when a Second World War hand grenade was found in the heart and chest clinic.

Hospital bosses say their first priority was patient and staff safety.

Speaking in a radio interview, Mr Amess said: “When I was MP for Basildon, between 1983 and 1997, this is the sort of thing I would have been briefed on immediately.

“So I find it very odd, in terms of senior management, this serious issue, somehow MPs have not been briefed on.

Very, very poor.”

He also said security should be beefed-up at the hospital and described the front entrance as “just a Costa coffee shop”. The live grenade was found in the hospital's tower block at about 3.45pm, on Wednesday, leading to the evacuation.

Sue Hardy, who is the hospital's acting chief executive, said patient and staff safety on the day, plus the debrief the day after, took precedence.

She said: “My intention on Friday was to contact David and our other local MPs to let them know all our patients and staff were safe following the incident and that everyone involved did a wonderful job, under very difficult circumstances.

“I am sorry I was not able to rectify his concerns earlier.”

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour’s candidate for the seat, said: “There is a slight irony that calling Sir David Amess would have used resources, when his Government is denying the hospital resources.

“If I was MP, I would expect to be informed about serious issues, but I would question the relationship he has with the hospital and what he has done to encourage lines of communication.”

Sir David Amess’s office did not respond when contacted by the Echo.