MARIA Caulfield has voted down a law that would have named and shamed water companies that kill animals by dumping "toxic" raw sewage.
The vote was over the Animal Welfare Bill which is in its report stage in the House of Commons.
The MP for Lewes was one of 283 Conservative MPs who voted against the plans, versus 179 opposition MPs including Liberal Democrats who voted in favour on Tuesday, March 15.
The vote follows toxic substances known as “forever chemicals”, being detected in otters across England and Wales.
The Liberal Democrats wanted an amendment which required water companies to produce reports on the number of animals killed by “toxic and sewage waste dumped in rivers".
The amendment asked for the government to publish an annual report into the number of animals killed by poor water quality in rivers.
It also suggested a “naming and shaming” of water companies found to dump sewage in rivers.
James MacCleary, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Lewes, said he found Ms Caulfield’s vote “disappointing”.
He said: “Our local Conservative MP has again refused to take action against water companies.
"Rivers and the sea are so important in our area, from Barcombe Mills and the River Ouse to Seaford Bay, it is incredibly disappointing that our MP doesn’t want to protect that.
“People around here are furious at how badly Southern Water treats our local environment. It is outrageous to think wildlife in our local rivers is being poisoned by disgusting raw sewage.”
Last year, Southern Water was fined £90 million by the government after dumping billions of litres of raw sewage into the sea. The company admitted 6,971 illegal spills between 2010 to 2015.
Mr MacCleary added: “It is time these water companies stopped polluting our rivers and pay for the mess they have made.”
Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who is now the party’s spokesman for rural affairs, added that it is time to “name and shame” firms for their “disgusting sewage dumps in our rivers”.
Maria Caulfield was approached for comment.
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