Leave us alone, MP’s junior aide tells councillor who quizzed him on Kabul

Mr Browne said he had been made of the contents of the email “that was sent in error by a junior staff member yesterday, in his own name.

“The staff member in question sent an immediate apology to the recipients and has also apologised to me, which I have accepted.”

Mr Browne added: “I am absolutely committed to addressing concerns raised by residents of South Cambs.

“I deeply regret any offence caused by this unfortunate incident.”

The email was sent to Cllr Alex Malyon who represents Longstanton on South Cambridgeshire District Council.

She had asked the MP about security at Kabul airport following the American withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Caseworker Jamie Newgreen replied on behalf of his MP boss.

“Thank you for your email to Mr Browne regarding Kabul airport, to which he has asked me to respond,” wrote Mr Newgreen.

“Mr Browne has recently released a statement on his website.

“I do hope this answers your questions/reassures you/ makes you leave us alone”.

The email has not gone well with the Liberal Democrats.

Ian Sollom, who stood for the Liberal Democrats against Mr Browne in the 2019 General Election said: “This reveals a contempt for constituents' views from Anthony Browne’s office, and that is a culture set from the top.

“He just wants constituents to go away.”

Mr Solloms added: “Recently we’ve seen Mr Browne tell people not to lobby him on government spending but instead donate money to the government.

“He doesn’t want to listen, and he doesn’t want to do the crucial work of being an MP representing his constituents”.

Mr Newgreen has also apologised to those who received his email.

He noted the email “contained a rude request at the end of it.

“May I assure you that was entirely my mistake and the email was meant to be sent to my colleague”.

Mr Newgreen added: “I understand that this was exceptionally unprofessional and I can only apologise.