MP David Amess has defended going on a £5,000 nine-day trip to the Maldives to help its fledgling democracy.

The Tory MP for Southend West was criticised by a political opponent and a Sunday newspaper for taking the trip, paid for by the Maldives Government.

Mr Amess, who is chairman of the all party parliamentary group on the Maldives, said he was “at a complete loss” as to why the trip had attracted such controversy.

Mr Amess said: “Having read the article I am at a complete loss to understand what the point is that is being made about me.

“The Maldives was a British Protectorate – following the first democratic elections, the new government needs assistance to help the indigenous population.

“I am liaising with the British Council and Essex and Cambridge universities to secure learning and educational links between the two countries.

“With the Maldivian High Commissioner I am looking for volunteers to work in the Maldives on temporary contracts, positions which would ideally suit graduates.”

But the Liberal Democrat candidate for his constituency at the next election, Peter Welch, said he was surprised by the MP’s interest in the country.

Mr Welch said: “I was puzzled to read in Hansard that David Amess was taking a close interest in the Maldives. I have been knocking on doors all over Southend West, and I can honestly say that it is one subject that has never come up.”

He added: “Frankly I find this sort of practice distasteful. MPs should not abuse their power to raise questions and force debates. This costs the taxpayer money – even if it costs the MP nothing.

“There is nothing we can do about this until the election – except perhaps to hope he didn’t suffer a recurrence of his travel sickness problems on this trip.”