TORY MPs have defended their vote against a motion to provide free school meals for children over the summer holidays - a campaign sparked by football superstar Marcus Rashford.

The Manchester United player has now urged politicians to “unite” to protect the most vulnerable children, after the Labour motion - which called for the scheme to be extended over school holidays until Easter 2021 - was defeated by 261 votes to 322.

Vowing to continue campaigning, the striker tweeted: “For as long as they don’t have a voice, they will have mine.”

Among those who opposed the proposal were Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, and Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock.

John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay, and James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, abstained from the vote.

Explaining her reasoning, Ms Harris, said: “It was deliberately designed to distract from what is actually an exceptional package this government has put together to support people during the crisis.

“In reality we’ve extended eligibility for free school meals to thousands more children: [and] we provided free school meals throughout the school closure and exceptionally, the first time in over 100 years, provided meals out of school during the summer holiday.

“We also provided local authorities direct funding to target those families most in need - £1,422,336 of which went to Essex County Council - and have given £16million to food charities.”

It comes after hundreds across south Essex signed a petition spearheaded by Mr Rashford to tackle child food poverty. A mural of the inspiring athlete was also painted on Southend High Street.

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, added: “The vote on free school meals on Wednesday was not a vote on a piece of legislation. It was a vote on an opposition motion.

“The best way to help vulnerable children during the coronavirus pandemic is to tackle the root causes of poverty and give financial aid to local institutions. Our social workers and local councils know the families in their areas who are most vulnerable and most at risk.”

MP Mark Francois and MP Stephen Metcalfe were contacted for comment.