A Southend MP rebelled against the Government in a critical vote on a third Heathrow runway.

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, joined just eight fellow Tory MPs in voting against controversial plans to expand Heathrow, despite pressure from the prime minister to support the bill.

There have been concerns voiced in the past that a third runway at Heathrow could have a detrimental impact on Southend Airport, with airlines opting for new spaces at the UK’s busiest airport over smaller sites such as Southend.

Sir David insisted he’d stayed strong on the issue. He said: “I have consistently held the view that I am against the expansion of Heathrow Airport, therefore this is not a sudden change of heart.

“I do not regard the passenger/business experience at the Heathrow Airport pleasurable for all manner of reasons. I also have grave concerns about the environmental impact. It is a nightmare getting to Heathrow Airport.

“My view has always been in favour of the expansion of either Gatwick or Stansted. I think if we had chosen those options without all the environmental damage that will be caused at Heathrow we could have produced excellent connections and a good passenger/business experience. For residents in our area I dread to imagine what the impact will be of the re-routing of part of the M25 into a tunnel.”

A total of 415 MPs voted in favour of approving the National Planning Statement on Monday, which clears the way for the £14 billion Heathrow construction project. They defeated 119 MPs who voted to reject the amended statement.

Earlier this month Glyn Jones, chief executive of Stobart Aviation which runs London Southend, said the Government should prioritise smaller airports such as Southend.