An MP has pressed Theresa May over why a woman left doubly incontinent after a "violent" sexual assault has been refused disability benefits.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, Canterbury's Labour MP Rosie Duffield raised the case of a constituent who has been refused personal independent payments, known as PIP.

The allowance, which is worth up to £145 a week, is designed to cover the costs associated with a person's disability.

"I have a constituent who was left doubly incontinent following a serious and very violent sexual assault," she said.

"She previously had a lifetime award of Disability Living Allowance.

"However recent PIP assessments have concluded that she is not entitled to DLA or the mobility components of PIP despite this extremely difficult condition dominating every aspect of her daily life.

"Will the Prime Minister please ask the Secretary of State to look urgently at the Department for Work and Pension's failure to recognise the impact of this very serious condition?"

Last year, KentOnline highlighted the case of a young woman from Canterbury with Crohn's disease, who also learned her disability benefits were being cut just days after having her bowel and rectum removed.

The controversial assessment system for the benefit has come under widespread criticism, and 72% of refused claimants who take their case to tribunal are successful.

Ms Duffield's question prompted expressions of shock from other MPs.

However, the Prime Minister replied by saying that she would not comment on an individual case, but that she would "ensure that the Department for Work and Pensions and the relevant minister looks at that case".