TWO political foes joined forces to praise the Daily Echo during a debate about post office closures.

In a rare moment of agreement, Hampshire MP Dr Julian Lewis and Government minister John Hutton cited the Echo's independence and political impartiality.

It followed a hard-hitting Echo editorial in which the public consultation on post office closures was branded a farce.

Ministers have approved plans to axe 2,500 branches across the UK, including more than 60 in Hampshire, despite a massive protest campaign.

Dr Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, and Mr Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, clashed during a Commons debate on the issue.

Dr Lewis asked: "Will the Secretary of State accept that there is genuine concern about the validity of the consultation process?

"The Daily Echo is a politically impartial newspaper but nevertheless felt it necessary to publish a leader entitled Post office plan was a farce from the beginning'.'' Quoting from the article, he said: "In many ways it would have been better if those in authority had simply announced their targets and then closed the book. All that this exercise has achieved is to deepen the anger among so many communities who now feel doubly cheated over this issue."

In response, Mr Hutton also praised the Echo.

He said: "I'm sure there is such a thing as a genuinely independent newspaper.

I personally have not read one, but I'm sure the honourable gentleman has found one.

"I accept that people have expressed criticism of the consultation process. They are perfectly entitled to do that, but my job is to try to ensure that people have the opportunity to pose a counter-argument."