Hampshire MPs voted to reject a Labour motion that would have guaranteed parliamentary time for a bill to ban fracking.

Amid chaotic scenes in the Commons on Wednesday evening, Steve Brine, Flick Drummond, and Caroline Nokes all entered 'noes'.

Despite there being 357 Conservative MPs in Parliament, there were just 326 votes against Labour’s motion - suggesting 31 abstained.

Allegations of ministers bullying Conservative MPs during the controversial vote are now under investigation by the parliamentary authorities after opposition politicians claimed one MP was “physically manhandled” into the “No” lobby. 

They were ordered by whips to vote down the anti-fracking motion, with anyone who defied instructions expected to lose the whip.

READ MORE: Winchester residents favour renewable energy sources and home insulation to combat the energy crisis despite lift of fracking ban

Health Secretary Therese Coffey and Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg are among those accused of coercive measures.

Dozens of Tory backbenchers and ministers had previously voiced opposition to the resumption of shale gas drilling in England, so were placed in a difficult position when party whips said the motion would be treated as a confidence vote in Liz Truss’ government.

Ms Nokes took to Twitter to explain her vote. She said: "The only reason I voted against the Labour motion is that I will not give them control of the order paper - and I will retain my say in who is Prime Minister."

However, her response sparked an angry reaction from residents who claim she "put her party before her constituency".

Mr Brine moved to rubbish claims that Labour's motion would have put a stop to fracking, instead labelling it as "silly partisan politics".

He said: "I've told every constituent who's asked I don't support fracking for shale gas and I said as much on the floor of the House yesterday. It doesn't enjoy my support and I don't think it enjoys the consent of the vast majority of those I represent.

"Yesterday was silly partisan politics from the Labour Party on one of their opposition days and couldn't have stopped fracking. It was designed to cause trouble and, boy, has it done that in a much wider sense.

"We've now secured a commitment, given in Parliament, from the Secretary of State, that any lifting of the moratorium will be subject to a proper Government driven vote. When, and if, this is brought forward I won't be supporting as I believe in honouring our manifesto. A point I have made consistently to Ministers.

"On the wider point of yesterday and possible confidence votes, I certainly wasn't going to do anything in Parliament at this time that takes away my ability to influence how long this Prime Minister stays in office or who might follow if there's a vacancy.

"To lose the whip now would make me about as irrelevant in any future  process as a Labour or indeed a Liberal MP and that doesn't serve my constituents at all!"

Ms Drummond has been contacted for comment.

Ms Truss's position is now hanging by a thread following a tumultuous 24 hours which also saw Suella Braverman exit.

The Chronicle previously reported that Winchester and the wider Hampshire area are at risk of significant oil and gas exploration.

New analysis of areas which have been granted a licence by the Government for oil and gas exploration has found the county faces at least nine new fracking sites.

The total size of areas covered by a licence equates to a staggering 34,868 football pitches. 

SEE ALSO: Lift on fracking ban leaves Winchester at risk as five sites licenced for drilling

Winchester is the worst affected area in the county with five sites permitted for drilling, covering more than one-quarter of the constituency.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Winchester and Chandler's Ford, Danny Chambers, said: “A number of Hampshire’s Conservative MPs, including Winchester's Steve Brine and Meon Valley's Flick Drummond, voted against a motion last night which would have put us one step closer to banning environmentally damaging and unnecessary drilling in Hampshire.

“The Government even acknowledges this kind of drilling won’t bring down energy prices. Instead, there needs to be more investment in renewable energy which is the cleanest and cheapest way to bring down bills, as well as bring down carbon emissions. 

“Local Liberal Democrats will always campaign to protect Hampshire’s environment and nature, and we will fight tooth and nail to stop fracking and drilling taking place in our area."