A Tory Cabinet minister has been accused of “abusing his role” after a bizarre row exploded over claims five MPs were drunk in Gibraltar.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace wrote to the leaders of the SNP and Labour to express his disappointment in three MPs who visited British troops this week.
SNP MPs David Linden and Drew Hendry denied claims they were “difficult” and “lairy” with airport staff after drinking on the outbound flight on Tuesday.
A third Labour MP, Charlotte Nichols, reportedly had to be helped from the airport in a wheelchair. She insisted the reaction was due to her medication.
But claims then emerged that two Tory MPs on the same trip went out until the early hours on Wednesday - yet weren’t mentioned by Mr Wallace.
A source alleged Ben Everitt and Christian Wakeford turned up “hungover” to an event on Wednesday morning - a claim later denied by a Tory source. Neither of the two Tories responded to requests for comment by the Mirror.
Mr Wallace had told the media of the three opposition MPs: “This behaviour puts military personnel in a difficult position and risks undermining respect for Parliament.”
But a source close to the trip hit back: “People are staggered by the hypocrisy of Ben Wallace and his ill-advised attempts to drag the armed forces into political game playing.
“It was a serious error of judgement on his behalf, which has spectacularly backfired, given two Conservative MPs were out on the lash in Gibraltar until the early hours."
The source claimed the Tory pair had "turned up hungover" to an event with service personnel on the eve of Armistice Day.
A Tory source hit back: “This is quite clearly a desperate attempt by those involved in the flight incident to deflect attention away from their behaviour.”
But an SNP spokesperson said: "Ben Wallace must apologise for abusing his role as UK Defence Secretary to attack other parties ahead of Armistice Day.
"There is no excuse for Tory ministers dragging our armed forces into silly political point scoring, on an occasion when we must all stand united.
"In a botched attempt to divert media attention from the Tory sleaze scandal, Mr Wallace has only raised further questions about the behaviour of his own Tory MPs.
"This bungling boomerang attack has left Mr Wallace with egg all over his face and serious questions to answer about his judgement."
It came after witnesses told newspapers the Labour and SNP trio “made full use of the facilities” in an airport lounge and “it looked like they were going on a stag do."
The SNP pair were accused of being “drunk and rude” and allegedly “kicked up a fuss" in the airport when their Covid passes did not work.
But Mr Linden tweeted: “Incredibly disappointed by what appears to be a bizarre Tory smear campaign.”
Mr Hendry added: “It's deeply disappointing that Tory MPs have made false claims in a shameless attempt to divert attention from the Tory corruption scandal engulfing Westminster.”
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon added: "I think there have been allegations made against two of my MPs that they say are completely false and unfounded, and some may say is an attempt by Conservatives to distract attention from their own travails.
"I know Drew and David well, they say these allegations are unfounded and that is something I've got confidence in."
The Labour MP, who returned from the trip early, said she had "less than five" drinks and no more than others. She added: “Everyone had had a few drinks on the flight.
"The issue for me is the medication I am taking. That affected my tolerance."
Shadow Housing Secretary Lucy Powell added: “I do know the Labour MP concerned and I do know that she is on medication.
“I’m sure this will all be looked at and taken into account when the chief whip and the Labour Party look into it."
