Council leaders and Powerhouse Minister trade blows over Yorkshire devolution deadlock

Mr Percy, the Brigg and Goole MP, was also accused of previously opposing a devolution deal he now supports.

A letter has emerged from 2015 suggesting Mr Percy was against the Greater Yorkshire proposal - which he now supports - which would see the creation of an elected mayor for the whole of the region except South Yorkshire wield devolved powers in areas such as transport, skills and business support.

But Mr Percy hit back swiftly,accusing West Yorkshire council leaders of using "character assassination" to mask their own failings.

The majority of Yorkshire council leaders will meet at a summit tomorrow to try and end the long-running deadlock over efforts to secure extra powers and money for the region while other parts of the country press ahead.

South Yorkshire is so far the only part of the region to successfully negotiate a deal as part of the Sheffield City Region group of authorities. But the deal - and the planned election of a mayor for the area - has been postponed amid tensions between South Yorkshire councils and following a legal ruling over the plan.

Council leaders, MPs and ministers have been unable to agree deals for other parts of the region.

Earlier this year, a proposal emerged for a single 'All Yorkshire' devolution deal for the whole region emerged in an attempt to end the deadlock but Mr Percy has rejected the idea, insisting it cannot be done under current law.

Mr Percy has suggested the best way forward is for the Sheffield City Region deal to be put back on track and a solution found for the rest of Yorkshire.

Wakefield Council leader Peter Box, chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “Tomorrow’s meeting is about identifying a committed ‘coalition of the willing’ who are keen to work together to resolve issues we are facing. Devolution and Brexit will affect our local economy and Yorkshire’s role at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse enormously.

“This collaborative approach is in positive contrast to Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy who has so far opposed a Leeds City Region devolution deal, an All Yorkshire devolution deal and just 18 months ago, was opposing the very deal he is now pushing – incredible and incredibly disappointing from a Yorkshire MP.

“It seems that unlike the majority of Yorkshire Leaders, who will come together tomorrow to look at how they can achieve the greatest success for their citizens, Andrew Percy seems is working on how to keep us divided.”

Tomorrow's meeting will have significant absentees with neither the leaders of Sheffield or Rotherham Council attending.

Responding to today's attack, Mr Percy told The Yorkshire Post: "I am very disappointed that the West Yorkshire Combined Authority leaders have decided to engage in character assassination because of their own failure to agree a devolution deal across the geography.

"My position has been absolutely clear from the very beginning which is we have a deal agreed for South Yorkshire which we fully to make good on and have strong support from Labour MPs in the area and Labour council leaders to do that.

"I have spent many weeks and months talking to frustrated business leaders, MPs and others across East, West and North Yorkshire who want to see a devolution deal for the rest of Yorkshire negotiated.

"It is therefore deeply disappointing that Peter Box and others now seem determined to play silly party political games rather than engaging positively with business and other political leaders across East, West and North Yorkshire to identify what is best for the rest of the region."