South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay has openly criticised a constituent and former Ukip councillor over his alleged war record.

The MP “named and shamed” Konnor Collins, who has stood down from the council, during a parliamentary debate on plans to make it a criminal offence to deceitfully wear war medals.

The MP said in the Commons: “He claimed to have been in the Paras, he claimed to have received the MBE, he claimed to have received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, the Military Cross… if that had been true, he would have been the most decorated veteran in the entire country.”

But Mr Collins, who stood aside from being a councillor for Northwood ward on Thanet council in August and is facing separate court charges on another matter, said he received the medals for undercover secret operations he was unable to discuss.

“I was with a group of people signed up to do certain tasks who in most cases were not recognised by this country or any other country and was asked to get the job done,” he told Meridian TV.

But he added he could not talk about either the medals or why he had received them because the Ministry of Defence had ordered him not to.

He repeatedly answered questions about whether he had been awarded the medals, saying that he could neither “confirm or deny” the claims.

The Bill on ‘fake’ medals is being promoted by Kent MP Gareth Johnson, who wants it to be made a criminal offence.