By Isobel Williams

A Tory candidate was replaced with a toy squirrel after not showing up to a debate.

Laura Trott did not appear at the hustings in Sevenoaks – a town which she previously represented in Parliament from 2019 to 2024.

Reform UK candidate James Milmine was also absent from the climate event at The Drive Methodist Church.

He was replaced on the panel with a pinecone.

Labour candidate Denise Scott-McDonald, Liberal Democrat Richard Streatfeild, Laura Manston for the Green Party and Elwyn Jones, Rejoin EU, all appeared.

The hustings, which took place on Thursday (June 20), was a collaboration between Sevenoaks Climate Action Network (SCAN) and the Kent Wildlife Trust.

It was hosted by BBC wildlife presenter and conservationist Richard Taylor Jones and attended by around 100 people.

Laura Clout, spokesperson for SCAN said: “We were disappointed Ms Trott and Mr Milmine chose not to attend but delighted so many residents of Sevenoaks did turn up to show how passionately they feel about the climate and nature crisis.

"On July 4 we would urge everyone to become a climate voter.”

A spokesperson for Laura Trott said: "Laura will be attending two hustings taking place during the election campaign – Sunday, June 30 at St Nicholas Church Sevenoaks, and Monday, July 1 in Hextable."

Mr Milmine has been contacted for comment.