The general manager of the Caldicot and Wentlooge Drainage Board has hit back at a Newport MP who criticised the board.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn posted an open letter on his blog criticising the drainage board’s actions.

In the letter addressed to Newport East AM John Griffith, who is also Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Flynn, who has previously called for police to re-open the investigation into the quango, said work carried out by the Board on the property of members of the board and management needs to be looked into.

Richard Penn, general manager for Caldicot and Wentlooge Internal Drainage Board, said: “Mr Flynn’s open letter to the minister is based on factual errors, misunderstandings and biased opinion.

“For example, no employees have been sacked – fact. I did not say that the budget was based on guesswork - fact.

“It was the chairman who quite reasonably commented at the board meeting that budget forecasts always involve an element of guesswork.

“It is now in the public domain, I will be requesting a meeting with the minister to put the record straight.”

A Wales Audit Office’s report into the Caldicot and Wentlooge Drainage Board revealed thousands of pounds had been spent on trips abroad for members, its former most senior member of staff Dean Jackson-Johns had been overpaid and the Newport-based body had acted unlawfully on occasions.

In his open letter, Mr Flynn said: “A failure to pursue Mr Jackson-Johns sends a very dangerous message and precedent to others that may be in similar situations.”

Mr Flynn also said in the letter that he is hoping to take the matter up with the Crown Prosecution Service.

He finished his letter to the Welsh Minister by saying he believes there is need for national action to ensure that the practices of the Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels Drainage Board are not widespread.