A deluge of character references have been written vouching for the behaviour of a Tory campaign organiser accused of threatening a former Labour councillor in church.

The Mercury has reported that Bryan Henderson had sent a letter of complaint to Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke, with copies to Prime Minister David Cameron and the Archbishop of Canterbury, because Daniel Sansom, Mr Elphicke’s campaign organiser, had allegedly threatened him after a meeting about Deal Hospital at St George’s Church in August.

Mr Sansom, 21, of Milldale Close, denies any altercation. He referred to the claim as a “tissue of lies” and blamed it on “dirty, party-political tricks.”

Associates of Mr Sansom jumped to his defence on the Mercury’s website.

Dover businessman Andy Maple said: “This doesn’t sound like the Daniel Sansom I know.

“It does, however, sound like a stunt designed to steal the headlines when yet another Deal town clerk has resigned.”

Another comment, left by someone logged in as Finals, said: “There’s got to be more proof than this before sending letters off to every important person one can think of. ‘

“‘Jumping the gun’ doesn’t even come close – we’ve got one person’s word against another’s, no evidence that it took place, and before we know what’s happened, Mr Sansom’s reputation is being pre-emptively savaged by sending off comments to the PM!

“This is seriously out of line. Everyone knows that even the shadow of an accusation, with nothing to back it up, can destroy a career.

“This is deeply opportunistic, and totally groundless.”

Mr Henderson, a former Deal town councillor, stands by his claims, and said: “I do not lie. Daniel Sansom was in my face, intimidating and threatening me.”

Mr Elphicke has distanced himself from the affair. But in a response to Mr Henderson, he said he was “sorry to hear there was any sort of confrontation.”