The defence secretary has accused three opposition MPs of disrespecting the armed forces by getting drunk on a trip to visit soldiers in Gibraltar.
Ben Wallace is to write to Labour and the Scottish National party over the conduct of their MPs, which, he said, “put military personnel in a difficult position”.
The three were among 15 MPs on a three-day trip to visit troops in Gibraltar over Armistice Day this week, as part of a regular scheme to give politicians an insight into the work of the armed forces.
A witness said the trio had been drinking in an airport departure lounge, then continued to drink heavily once in the air. It was claimed that military personnel had to intervene when the two SNP MPs involved were rude to airport staff after encountering problems with their Covid passes.
Those MPs – Drew Hendry and David Linden – continued to a welcome dinner for the visiting party, but the Labour MP Charlotte Nichols had to be helped through the airport in a wheelchair, taken to a hotel and flew home the following day, reports claimed. She is understood to be on medication that may affect her reaction to alcohol.
The Telegraph quoted Wallace as saying: “This type of behaviour shows a lack of respect for the enduring work of our armed forces.
“The armed forces scheme is an opportunity for both parliamentarians and the military to understand each other. This behaviour puts military personnel in a difficult position and risks undermining respect for parliament.”
The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on the claims, instead directing the Guardian to the parties involved and to the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, which organised the trip.
The SNP rejected Wallace’s accusation. “These suggestions are false,” a party spokesperson said. “Drew Hendry and David Linden were honoured to be invited to this important event and attended all engagements, including the welcome meeting and dinner shortly after landing.
“Instead of trying to divert attention from the Tory corruption scandal engulfing Westminster, Ben Wallace should be apologising for his role in it, including voting to get Owen Paterson off the hook.”
The Guardian has approached Labour for comment.