TORY candidate Maria Caulfield has accused her opponents of “preaching hate” by dressing up as nuns in a town centre flash mob.

Progressive Alliance campaigners dressed in Sound of Music-inspired nun costumes and sang How do you solve a problem like Maria? during a political rally in Lewes on Saturday.

The Conservative candidate has described the protest as “very offensive” aimed at “ridiculing” her as a Christian MP.

Progressive Sussex described Ms Caulfield’s claims as “astounding” and “disresectful” in the wake of the terror attacks in London while Lib Dem candidate Kelly-Marie Blundell urged her Tory opponent to find the humour in the event.

The ten-minute flash mob of about 50 people sang an altered version of the famous Sound of Music song, re- written to focus on Ms Caulfield’s voting record.

Two other Sussex Conservative candidates have come under scrutiny for their religious views during the election campaign: Caroline Ansell in Eastbourne and Kristy Adams in Hove.

Ms Caulfield said she had endured increasing “personal attacks and lies” on the campaign trail claiming she was now receiving threats and public abuse as well as “lies” about living locally and not holding weekly surgeries.

She said: “I found the protest at the weekend very offensive.

“While many on the march may have found it a bit of fun, I see no funny side in them marching down the street chanting ‘get her out’ with placards with my photo on and dressing up as a nun, perhaps to ridicule me as a Christian MP.

“In the final days of the campaign I would urge opposition parties to be more responsible considering what happened to my colleague Jo Cox this time last year.

“Let’s stick to fighting on policies rather than personal attacks and while we may not agree on issues let us truly be tolerant of each other’s views.”

Ms Blundell said: “This was a peaceful protest organised by a cross-party group in Lewes.”

“In light of the terrorist attack on London at the weekend, it is rather concerning to see this put in the same context as the violent intolerance and hate to which people have lost their lives.

“Everyone is entitled to express political view points in the UK and indeed political engagement of all ages should be encouraged, not shut down by right wing politicians.

“I hope Maria Caulfield will see the humour in the flash mob and applaud them for their unique approach in this election, not berate them again.”