A Kent MP says the swirl of allegations concerning the conduct of politicians is a generational issue and standards of behaviour among newer MPs are higher.

Tom Tugendhat, the Tonbridge and Malling MP, said he had been shocked and surprised by the growing number of allegations concerning MPs’ behaviour.

It comes as a third Kent MP was caught up in the allegations.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke, elected in 2010, was suspended from the Conservative Party for what were described as serious allegations. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Tugendhat, speaking on KMTV’s “Paul On Politics” show, said: “There is certainly a generational issue. I haven't seen this sort of behaviour; that doesn't mean it is not happening [but] I don't recognise this pattern of behaviour in my generation MPs on either side.”

He went on to say the allegations were “a great disappointment to me”.

“Nobody should work in any work place where they suffer from abuse, whether it is sexual abuse or racial harassment or any kind of discrimination; it is quite wrong.”

Asked about the absence of a process by which staff working in Parliament could register concerns or bring complaints to be investigated, he said: “It is not quite as incredible as it seems - each elected MP or councillor is not employed.

"They are elected and their staff are not employed by The Commons. It is up to each member of Parliament to have a working environment which you and I would expect.”

Mr Tugendhat denied the resignation of the Sevenoaks MP Sir Michael Fallon was debilitating for the government and PM Theresa May.

“It is a blow because he was a very good defence minister. Of course, she would not have wanted it to have happened. It is not good but it's not good for anyone in Parliament.”

He defended the appointment of Gavin Williamson in his place amid reports of unhappiness at his promotion:

“Gavin is very much trusted by the Prime Minister and really knows his way around Westminster.”

On the same programme, the Ukip leader of Thanet council Chris Wells said local government did not generally have the same problem: “I don't think there is a similar problem in local government; there is a generational issue.

"People who started work in the 1950s and 1960s made find themselves out of line with some of the expectations of how you should behave.

"We all have to be able to treat other people with respect In the workplace.”