Five employees have accused North Swindon's MP Justin Tomlinson of bullying, according to a report by The Sunday Times today.

Sources have claimed that the deputy chairman of the Conservative Party sent "unprofessional" and "belittling" messages to staff members at Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

Mr Tomlinson has strenuously denied the allegations. He told The Adver: "They are absolutely untrue."

The Sunday Times report added: "One staffer is said to have quit as a result and a female employee told the party she would not want to be alone with him in the office, although she makes no claims that anything untoward had happened."

A party spokesman said they had not received any formal complaints about Mr Tomlinson. Sources told the national newspaper the five staff members had spoken to human resources about the issue but had not escalated their concerns even after they were told about the complaints procedure. 

A CCHQ spokesman added in a statement to The Sunday Times: “CCHQ takes allegations like this incredibly seriously.

"We have a well-established complaints procedure and helpline open to all staff, should they wish to use it."

Swindon Labour Councillors tweeted: "This is really worrying to hear about a Swindon MP. Hope that it is all properly investigated."

It is believed the allegations centre around interactions with staff during a by-election last year.

The deputy chairman role is designed to "help the Conservative Party get ready for future elections" and involves a focus on campaigning. 

The North Swindon MP was previously embroiled in controversy when he was suspended from the House of Commons for two days back in 2016 for leaking a draft parliamentary report to a Wonga employee.

The leaked report related to an inquiry into the regulation of consumer credit and a committee of MPs found he had committed a contempt.

But the Privileges Committee report also decided that his "motives, relative inexperience and immediate and unreserved apology for his actions" were mitigating factors.