Esher and Walton MP Dominic Raab responded to 'Remain' campaigners from his constituency after they penned a letter criticising his stance on Brexit.

The residents from Mr Raab's Esher and Walton constituency belong to a branch of the European Movement, which advocates Britain remaining in the European Union (EU).

Published last week (June 12) the undersigned constituents pointed to their MP's continued support for Brexit, even in the event of a "No-Deal" scenario.

"As constituents of Esher and Walton we were dismayed to hear our MP, Dominic Raab’s, latest idea for how he might force through a No Deal Brexit if he becomes leader of the Conservative Party and therefore Prime Minister," the letter read.

Mr Raab, who served as Brexit Secretary July-November 2018, was running for leader of the Conservative party when the letter was first published.

He has since been eliminated from the race, offering his backing to fellow Tory MP Boris Johnson for the leadership instead.

"We reject (Mr Raab)'s totally undemocratic idea to keep open the option of proroguing (or suspending) Parliament in order to force through a No Deal Brexit," the letter continued.

While still in the running to replace current Prime Minister Theresa May as Conservative leader, Mr Raab said he would not rule out "proroguing" or suspending parliament in order to guarantee the UK leaves the EU by the current deadline set by negotiators of October 31.

The open letter also pointed to the large percentage of voters in Esher and Walton who voted for Remain in the 2016 Referendum on EU Membership, in contrast to Mr Raab's own backing of leaving the EU.

"His constituents voted by 59.5 per cent to remain in the Referendum. He has continually ignored those who voted to remain and does not respect or represent our views," one line from the letter read.

On Wednesday, Mr Raab responded to the content of the letter following a request from the Surrey Comet.

"It's crucial we keep our promises to voters and leave the EU by October, to end this debilitating uncertainty and maintain public trust in our democracy," Mr Raab said.

"I have never advocated proroguing Parliament, and I have said it would not be necessary or desirable.

"Equally, in any negotiation, it's foolish to start ruling things out. It just weakens your leverage and reduces your chances of securing a good deal - which is what I have consistently argued for," the former Brexit secretary added.

Last week's open letter was not the first time campaigners working in Mr Raab's constituency have targeted the Esher and Walton MP.

As the Surrey Comet reported in March, campaign group Led By Donkeys set up portable television screens in Esher and Walton which played several clips of statements previously made by Mr Raab, one of which featured him saying "I don't support the Human Rights Act and I don't believe in economic and social rights."

To read the open letter in full, go to: https://esherandwaltoneuropeanmovement.co.uk/blog/f/open-letter-to-the-press-about-dominic-raab-and-no-deal