A CONSERVATIVE MP has sparked outrage online after telling a constituent to "get a life" when questioned over sick pay rules.

Pauline Latham, who earns nearly £80,000 as an MP, was asked on Twitter if she could live on £94-a-week statutory sick pay (SSP).

Twitter user @ML1Hughes messaged her saying: "Hi @Pauline_Latham, is £94 a week SSP enough to live on? How could you manage on it?"

The Tory responded simply: "Get a life."

Get a life — Pauline Latham (@Pauline_Latham) March 14, 2020

The Mid Derbyshire MP is now one of the biggest trending topics on the social media site.

One former MP, Chris Williamson, called the comment "shocking" and "insensitive".

He wrote: A shocking, insensitive and unacceptable response from local MP @Pauline_Latham to a concerned constituent's anxiety about how to manage on £94 statutory sick pay if he falls ill and has to take time off work because of the #CoronavirusOutbreak"

A shocking, insensitive and unacceptable response from local MP @Pauline_Latham to a concerned constituent's anxiety about how to manage on £94 Statutory Sick Pay if he falls I'll and has to take time off work because of the #CoronavirusOutbreak https://t.co/dAfdokZd6O — Chris Williamson #GTTO (@DerbyChrisW) March 17, 2020

The Socialist Voice account was also critical of the MP's post.

They wrote: "Tory MP Pauline Latham, who is paid nearly £80,000 a year, tells constituent concerned about coronavirus to ‘get a life’ when challenged whether she could live on sick pay of £94 a week. This is the attitude some Tory MPs have towards their constituents during a national crisis"

Latham tweeted earlier today to explain the situation. She wrote: "I must apologise for the Tweet to a constituent over the weekend. At the time, I was in Spain in a state of distress having just visited my brother who is suffering from acute dementia. Very sadly, we could not bring him home to the UK because of Coronavirus. 1/2

I must apologise for the Tweet to a constituent over the weekend. At the time, I was in Spain in a state of distress having just visited my brother who is suffering from acute dementia. Very sadly, we could not bring him home to the UK because of Coronavirus. 1/2 — Pauline Latham (@Pauline_Latham) March 17, 2020

"At this time of stress, I received a Tweet from what I perceived to be a keyboard warrior and it pushed me over the edge. I am very sorry I reacted so hastily. 2/2"

She also posted to say: "My response was purely towards keyboard warriors who so often attack but don't respond with anything. I am entirely sympathetic towards those in receipt of statutory sick pay, particularly in this stressful time."