A review into Oldham council's botched £3m prosecution of kitchens trader Vance Miller has been slammed by the town's three MPs.

Town hall bosses ordered the probe after the trading standards-led case against the 45-year-old business owner sensationally collapsed earlier this month.

Mr Miller and three of his colleagues were accused of defrauding customers at his Oldham-based firm.

But Judge Jonathan Foster QC threw the case out and branded the prosecution - which is believed to have already cost over £3m - 'misconceived from the start'.

Under-fire council chiefs suspended trading standards boss Tony Allen, who masterminded the prosecution, and promised a 'thorough and independent review'.

That review is yet to be completed, but local Labour MPs Phil Woolas, David Heyes and Michael Meacher have demanded to know why the council's Chief Executive Charlie Parker has appointed lawyer Stewart Dobson to carry it out.

No reason has been given why Mr Dobson, a forming acting chief executive of Birmingham council, was chosen for the job.

In a letter to the District Auditor, the three MPs also ask why a full council meeting was not held to set out the terms of Mr Dobson's investigation.

They urge the District Auditor to carry out his own, independent review and hit out at Mr Parker's influence.

The letter reads: “We understand that Mr Parker has refused to consider a request that the terms of reference for the review be considered and agreed by full council. We are not convinced that this approach will give confidence to our constituents in Oldham that this review will be truly independent.”

Considerable financial risks

The letter also says: “The council has been exposed to considerable financial risks as a result of the reckless pursuit of this case against Mr Miller.

“The costs of this fiasco, both to date and in terms of potential claims from Mr Miller, could run into many millions.”

“It is ludicrous for us to be expected to believe that a case of this magnitude would have been the sole responsibility of a single, relatively junior officer of the council without regular reference to and oversight of the most senior politicians and officers in the borough.”

Oldham council have refused to answer any questions until the review is carried out.

Mr Miller himself said he had not been contacted for his input on the review.

He added: "Why don't they just listen to what the judge said? It's another waste of money. Why don't they spend it on parks."