Living conditions on a Bradford council estate were today condemned as outrageous by an MP.

Gerry Sutcliffe said he was appalled to hear that Robert Diamond was living in a derelict maisonette with the full knowledge of the local authority while a multi-million regeneration programme goes on around him.

He has pledged to investigate his case.

The MP for Bradford South said: "It's not acceptable and we need to make sure he is relocated in alternative accommodation.

"It's unnecessary - there's no reason at all why people should be living in this condition. We are looking at regeneration and there must be somewhere for him to go. It's outrageous."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for the environment, said: "I find it bewildering that this man should be allowed to slip through the net.

"It is unacceptable and should not happen. It will have to be sorted out."

Buttershaw Baptist Church minister the Reverend Ashley Hardingham blamed the situation on a lack of genuine council care and funding.

In his six years on the Bradford estate, he has worked closely with housing officers and local organisations.

But as conditions in Stainton Close deteriorated, he said he was driven to contact the Telegraph & Argus.

He said: "The only support Robert's had for his needs is from the church and that has been in a whole lot of different areas.

"We have helped him sort out his debts, with housing and even clothed him. He needs someone to look after him - he's a vulnerable lad.

"Housing officers have known all about it for months. They should have replaced the windows with plastic but they're probably too expensive. Robert tries to board them up himself.

"I think he has given up. We have been through the house with big bags and tried to clean it up, but it's a mess. I am sure that Robert would have just let it happen without our involvement."

The major problem surrounding Stainton Close was depopulation, he added. As residents deserted streets, the area became stagnant and neglected.

He said: "Housing is desperately short of money. People are living with the threat that the housing department is going to end, as all of Bradford's housing stock is going to be transferred to housing associations."

He added: "I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that Buttershaw is getting better, but there has been a stigma around it for years and years.

"The Royds regeneration scheme is the bees knees and rightly so. But the problems with Stainton Close are because it's a clearance area. My main concern is that Robert's situation is not duplicated."