SOUTH Essex’s MP voted against a Labour motion that would have forced a vote on a bill to ban fracking, to help defeat it in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Wednesday was marked by chaos in Westminster, with Suella Braverman replaced as Home Secretary by Grant Shapps.

This was followed by a vote on fracking, seen by many as a 'confidence vote' in Liz Truss's premiership.

There were reports of manhandling and bullying in the voting lobby, although these have been denied by Government ministers.

All seven of south Essex’s Tory MPs voted against the motion: Southend West MP Anna Firth; Rochford and Southend East MP James Duddridge; Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois; Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron; Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe; Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris; and Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price.

They joined the vast majority of their Conservative colleagues, as the motion was defeated 326-230.

Voting against the motion were 322 Tory MPs and two DUP MPs .

Meanwhile, 167 Labour MPs, 33 SNP MPs, seven Independent MPs, 14 Lib Dem MPs, two SDLP MPs, one Alliance MP, three Plaid Cymru MPs, one Green Party MP and one Alba Party MP voted for it.

There were also 82 who abstained or did not vote – 27 Labour MPs, 31 Tory MPs, 11 SNP MPs, six Independent MPs, six DUP MPs and one Alba Party MP.

Parliamentary data does not include the reason for an abstention – it may have been on principle or due to that MP not being able to attend the vote.