Questions about the financial crisis plaguing Bradford's hospitals remained unanswered last night as health bosses failed to attend a Council meeting.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust's interim chairman, Peter Garland, and Malcolm Poad, director of planning and performance, were due to be quizzed by Bradford Council's Health Improvement Committee.

They were also set to answer questions about changes at St Luke's Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary as they prepare a financial recovery plan for them.

But they failed to attend, blaming a ban on political debate during the general election campaign.

Chairman Councillor Elaine Byrom told the meeting she received a call from Mr Garland on Friday warning of their non-attendance.

She said: "Mr Garland's decision not to attend the meeting was made after receiving a letter from Sir Nigel Crisp, chief executive of the Department of Health and NHS, which advised NHS Chief Executives not to enter political debate during the election process."

She claimed the letter was a Government attempt to prevent the committee from finding out information about the state of Bradford's hospitals.

In March Tony Blair sparked anger by blaming Bradford's hospital bosses for the Trust's £11.3 million cash crisis.

"They were due to present eagerly-awaited financial reports and no doubt people had lots of questions," said Coun Byrom.

"Because they have not attended we are now unable to carry out our duties. It is undemocratic that we are being denied this information."

Councillor John Godward said Mr Garland was hiding behind the election.

He said: "I think it is an attempt to avoid having to talk to us about the items on the agenda, including why he is getting paid more than the previous chairman.

"It is standard practice to send out this sort of guideline but it does mean civil servants can't attend this type of meeting."

Coun Byrom said people in Bradford were being denied the right to see where money had been spent.

Hospital governor, Councillor Matt Palmer said: "It is a great shame that the recovery plan for the hospitals will have been finalised by the time the general election is over and the committee will have had no input."