AN MP has vowed to secure the best deal for Thurrock over the new Thames Crossing - and condemned a political rival for “once again getting his facts wrong”.

MP Jackie Doyle-Price has clashed with Tim Aker, a Ukip councillor in Thurrock and MEP for the East of England.

He wants the Conservative MP for Thurrock to step down, claiming she told residents that she had “stopped the new Thames crossing.”

However Ms Doyle-Price says Ukip has “got their facts wrong” as she has campaigned for option four - running from junction 29 of the M25 and passing by Dunton, Stanford-le-Hope and Linford, before eventually reaching East Tilbury.

The clash comes following Wednesday’s announcement by the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling that a two-mile toll tunnel will run through Ockendon, Orsett and Tilbury.

Ms Doyle-Price said: “If I had a pound for every time Ukip called for my resignation I would be doing quite well.

“Once again he has his facts wrong.

When option 2 was rejected, following my lobbying, I put out material in Tilbury to advise people we had won the argument and that we had saved Tilbury Town and Thurrock Park from a new crossing.

“Far from saying one thing and doing another I have held my line.

“Right now the important thing is that we secure the best outcome for Thurrock, not engage in political mudslinging. I will get on with the doing the best for my constituents as I always have.”

However Mr Aker said: “Jackie Doyle-Price was elected to Parliament in 2015 after telling residents that she had stopped the new crossing.

“It is only right that she does the honourable thing and hands in her resignation.

“People rightly get angry when politicians say one thing and do another.

“Jackie Doyle-Price recently told residents to ‘get real’ and accept that a new Thames crossing is happening. She is completely at odds with Thurrock residents.

“Her resignation would allow this community to continue united against a new Thames crossing.”

Meanwhile George Abbott, from the Thames Crossing Action Group, has requested meetings with Highways England, South Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe and council bosses over the decision to push ahead with option three.