Somerset's top stories direct to your inbox Join for free Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A prospective member for Parliament apologised after he said 'why don't you f*** off back to Scotland' to a sixth-former during a talk at a Somerset school.

James Heappey, who was MP for Wells at the time, made the comment after the Scottish pupil said she'd vote for a independence in a second referendum.

He had asked sixth-formers at Millfield School in Street how they would vote if such a scenario arose.

Mr Heappey told the Sunday Mirror his comment was meant as a joke.

He said in a statement: "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.”

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 since 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.”

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.

The Sunday Mirror approached Millfield School for a comment but it declined.