MP Mark Reckless was too wrecked to vote following a debate on the Budget after a drinking binge on the Commons terrace.

Mr Reckless was so sozzled he dropped to the floor in the early hours in a Commons bar before a crucial vote on the finance bill, according to reports.

The new MP for Rochester and Strood abstained from voting when the debate finished at 2.07am, and fell asleep in the bar, before returning home to Rochester on an early train from Charing Cross on Wednesday, July 7.

The Conservative party had issued a three-line whip for the debate, which meant all MPs were required to stay until the end of the debate to vote.

Medway Labour councillor Teresa Murray, who stood against Mr Reckless in the general election, said: "I feel very sad for the people of Rochester and Strood.

"They elected Mark Reckless in good faith and it's taken him only seven weeks to let them down.

"MPs should be working hard when other people in the country are worried about jobs.

"Here is somebody who is lucky to find himself with a job paid out of the public purse.

"Mark Reckless has betrayed the people of Medway. We're seeing his true colours."

National media reports claim the House of Commons bar took a record £5,000 as MPs glugged Pimm's, beer and Champagne in a six-hour bender.

Mr Reckless is said, at one point, to have repeatedly slammed a door against his own foot, which he didn't realise was in the way.

References to the "well-refreshed ejaculations" of MPs during the late night session can be seen in Hansard, the official record of all debates in the House of Commons.

Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, who recently stepped down as councillor for River ward in Medway, said: "I was sitting outside talking to people and we were just getting set-up.

"Obviously some of them decided to drink rather too much.

"The Speaker wasn't very happy with him [Mark Reckless]."

During his parliamentary campaign, Mr Reckless attacked the Labour party's "beer tax", which he said "hit responsible drinkers in favour of irresponsible binge drinkers".

A penitent Mr Reckless told the News: "I am terribly embarrassed, apologise unreservedly and do not plan to drink alcohol at Westminster again."

He has been responding to angry correspondence from constituents and is hopeful his openness will demonstrate his commitment to the people of the area.