SIGNS protesting the MP for South Swindon's vote against extending free school meals appeared outside his Old Town office.

Robert Buckland and 321 other MPs rejected the Labour Party's motion to prolong support for hungry children through to Easter 2021.

In response to this, unknown vandals stuck cardboard squares with felt-tipped messages written in capital letters to the front door and window of the Wood Street building.

The window signs said: “You stole food from kids! Bring back free school meals” while the door sign changed the first letter of Mr Buckland’s name to spell a swear word and added: “Tory scum, get out of Swindon”.

Both signs first appeared on Friday night though the sign with the vulgar nickname had been ripped off by Saturday afternoon.

When approached for comment, Mr Buckland said: “I won’t give in to bullying, lies and criminal damage.

“This behaviour says far more about my opponents than it does about the huge amount we have done and continue to do to support children and families through this difficult time.”

The government extended the free school meals initiative over the summer holidays but declined the opportunity to do so again for the half term and upcoming Christmas break.

Both Swindon MPs voted against the motion which was defeated by 61 votes.

Other messages in a different handwriting have been added to the remaining signs on Mr Buckland's constituency office in pen, including one claiming that the coronavirus is a hoax.

Since the pandemic first hit the UK, 44,751 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19.