THE chair of a stormy election debate which sparked national debate when film of angry exchanges swept the internet said he did not fear for anybody’s safety.

Conservative General Election candidate for South East Cornwall Sheryll Murray was criticised after film of increasingly heated exchanges at the meeting in Callington was widely shared online. 

It showed tempers flaring after Mrs Murray commented about food banks in the constituency, saying she was pleased they were there.

But immediately after the scenes, the meeting ‘settled down’, said its chair Peter Sulston.

Asked if he felt concerned for anybody’s safety, Mr Sulston said: ‘No. I didn’t fear for anybody.

‘I stood behind Mrs Murray at one point to show that she was not to be intimidated. There was no pushing or shoving, just shouting, 

‘I said to the audience that we should continue in a proper respectful manner and I would not take any more protests, and it proceeded thereafter, I think, in an orderly fashion.

‘This happened very close to the beginning and it went on for a further hour and 20 minutes.

‘We offered tea and biscuits to everybody at the end and candidates were offered the chance to mingle. Mrs Murray left fairly promptly. I think the other three stayed for ten to 15 minutes and mingled with the audience.’

In the scenes filmed by members of the audience, Mrs Murray eventually asked for the police to be called, although they were not sent for. Mrs Murray’s team have spoken about concerns for her safety and said she was ’subjected to sustained abuse’. They claimed it came from an organised group of Labour supporters.

Mr Sulston said: ‘I think the people who turned up wanted questions asked of Mrs Murray more than anybody.

‘I think it was a fairly left wing audience but I think the incumbent is there to be questioned on her record and her views. This was one of two hustings meetings Mrs Murray attended.’

Others at the meeting have been critical of Mrs Murray’s ’rude’ behaviour.

Liberal Democrat candidate Phil Hutty said the episode ’showed that the ’nasty party’ is back’.

Labour candidate Gareth Derrick said: ’Her comment that she was pleased we have food banks in South East Cornwall shows a complete lack of concern for people here on low incomes and benefits.’

Mrs Murray said: ’Nobody is saying a person going hungry is a good thing and everything must be done to stop this.’