Mid Norfolk's Conservative MP George Freeman has defended his party as Tories cheered after blocking a pay rise for nurses and firefighters.

Labour had tried to scrap the 1pc cap on public sector pay rises and better fund the emergency services in an amendment to the Queen's Speech.

The salaries have been capped since 2010.

Theresa May's party joined forces with the DUP on Tuesday to vote down the amendment.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn cited the Grenfell Tower disaster and recent terrorist attacks while praising the emergency services and calling for more funds.

As often happens in Parliament, victorious Conservative MPs cheered as the 323-309 result came in - leading to claims of poor taste.

Responding to a tweet, which stated: 'There's something deeply wrong about a bunch of Tory MPs cheering at the fact so many dedicated people have to cope with real terms pay cuts', Mr Freeman tweeted: 'Nice try. But they weren't cheering that - they were cheering Labour's failed attempt to bring down a serious government signalling new thinking.'

He added that Conservative MPs were signalling that they need 'a different approach to public pay cap.'

Mr Freeman tweeted: 'Ministers listening. But tonight's amendment was to bring down the government.'