Jowell the hypocrite: Minister backs demo to save post office despite voting in Parliament for its closure

The Labour Minister attended a demonstration in support of the branch in Herne Hill, South London, only last week, and accepted a 3,000-signature petition from its customers.

At the event, she pledged to "go on campaigning to keep your post office open until its future is secure".

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But just one week earlier, Miss Jowell, Labour's Olympics spokesman and MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, voted in favour of a Government scheme that will see 2,500 post office branches shut across the country - including hers.

The Royal Mail insists that the controversial plans are necessary to safeguard its services and stem estimated losses of £4million a week.

But angry Herne Hill residents say their branch is a vital focal point for the community and claim other loss-making offices nearby should be shut instead.

Their post office made profits of more than £50,000 last year.

Attempting to defend her actions at the demonstration last Friday, Miss Jowell said: "Of course I would vote to close post offices that are underused and unprofitable.

"But this one is used and it is a very important part of the community.

"I would say that, within a general policy of rationalisation, this post office is one that deserves to be saved.

"I can make a very strong argument for this post office here in Gypsy Hill, which is very heavily used and is highly successful, to stay open."

Posing for photographs alongside the protesters, she added: "We have been working to ensure that the strength of local opposition to the closure of this post office is felt loud and clear.

"We will go on campaigning to keep your post office open until its future is secure. We are not out of the woods yet but this is a fantastic demonstration of support, it's brilliant, thank you very much indeed."

But Alan Duncan, Conservative spokesman for business, attacked Miss Jowell, saying: "It beggars belief that she can vote with the Government when everyone is watching what she is doing and then, just a week later, turn up at a meeting and slam the closures in her area.

"This is breathtaking cynicism --how can she live with being so shameless?"

Niranjan Francis, postmaster of the Gypsy Road branch, said he had been offered around £110,000 in compensation for the closure of his post office.

But he has insisted he will fight to keep it open because he feels a sense of loyalty to his customers.

"As a businessman it would make sense to sell," he added.

"If I took the money, I would do rather well but I want to help the community.

"This is a focal point and very important for people living here, so we will do all we can to keep it open."

In February last year, it was revealed that seven cabinet ministers had backed calls to save their local post offices.