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A Tory MP blasted a Scottish girl who said she would vote for independence in a second referendum, saying: “Why don’t you f*** off back to Scotland.”

James Heappey, 36, fighting to stay MP for Wells, Somerset, has apologised, insisting he was joking.

He asked sixth-formers at nearby private Millfield school how they’d vote in a new Scottish referendum, Sunday People reports.

When one Scots girl said she’d back independence, he lashed out.

(Image: Rex Features)

The girl is understood to have been so upset, she went home and complained to her Scottish National Party-supporting father.

He contacted education chiefs and has received a written apology.

Tessa Munt, the Lib Dem standing opposite Mr Heappey in Wells, said: “School is meant to be a safe place.

“We send our children to school in the expectation that they will be treated fairly and with respect by people in positions of power.

“I am utterly shocked that the then MP has used bullying, racist and abusive language to dismiss a teenage schoolgirl engaging in political debate.”

(Image: PA)

The girl is understood to have been so upset she went home and complained to her father. When he contacted education chiefs he received a written apology.

Mr Heappey, who was elected as MP in 2015, was a soldier in The Rifles for ten years rising to the rank of Major and later worked as a researcher for Liam Fox.

In a statement released to the Sunday Mirror, Mr Heappey said: “I made a comment - intended only as a joke - but it was inappropriate and I am deeply sorry for any offence caused.

“I wrote to [the pupil] soon after the school brought her concerns to my attention and apologised unreservedly.”

A spokesman for Millfield School refused to comment.