DORSET MPs voted against a Labour bid to ban fracking in a controversial ballot in Parliament last night (Wednesday).

The Opposition motion, named the Ban on Fracking for Shale Gas Bill, was defeated by the Government, by 230 votes to 326.

Among those to vote ‘no’ were Conservative Dorset MPs Michael Tomlinson (Mid Dorset and North Poole), Simon Hoare (North Dorset), Christopher Chope (Christchurch), Richard Drax (South Dorset) and Chris Loder (West Dorset).

South West Wiltshire’s Dr Andrew Murrison and John Glen (Salisbury) – both for the Conservatives – also voted against the motion.

The vote was filled with controversy, as at the start of the day it had been deemed a ‘confidence vote’ in Prime Minister Liz Truss by Conservative party whips, meaning a defeat for the Government could bring down the administration.

A three-line whip was imposed, requiring party members to tow the line or face punishment – including the withdrawal of the Conservative whip.

However, after some Tory MPs revealed they would still be supporting the Labour Bill, the process was thrown into doubt when Climate Minister Graham Stuart suggested it was not a confidence vote after all.

This caused chaos in the voting lobby, as Conservative members were left confused over whether they were required to obey the Government or not.

Ultimately, the Bill was defeated, with a Government majority of 96 votes.

However, more confusion followed, as Labour MP Chris Bryant claimed he had seen ‘bullying’ behaviour by senior Conservatives, ‘manhandling’ MPs into the voting booth.

This was denied by Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg, but an investigation was launched by the Deputy Speaker.

The controversy seemed initially to have prompted the resignations of Conservative chief whip Wendy Morton and deputy Craig Whittaker. But late last night, Number 10 said both remained in post.

Adding to the confusion was the revelation that a total of 40 Conservative MPs did not vote at all on the Bill, including the Prime Minister herself, as well as prominent figures such as former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and former Prime Minister, Theresa May.