MPs rejected radical plans for the “recall” of misbehaving colleagues after hearing they would make it harder to uncover scandals such as child-grooming in Keighley.

The proposal would have given the public – rather than a committee of MPs – the sole right to decide if errant MPs should face re-election, over any issue.

But it was heavily defeated in the Commons, when most Labour MPs and a narrow majority of Conservatives rejected it, on a free vote.

During the debate, ministers were told the radical option would have targeted Ann Cryer, former Keighley MP, who exposed the grooming of underage white girls in the town, in 2002.

The Labour MP spoke out after seven mothers came to see her, claiming their daughters had been groomed by young men from the Pakistani community.

During debate in the Commons, Kevan Jones, a Labour MP, said: “There was a very courageous Labour member of Parliament called Ann Cryer, who represented Keighley.

“In the face of many personal threats and local hostility, she argued against forced marriages and highlighted the birth defects issue in the Asian community.

“She was also one of the first people to talk about issues that have now gained popularity—trafficking and the abuse of white girls in Keighley. She was very unpopular in the constituency.”

Warning recall would have been used by Mrs Cryer’s opponents, Mr Jones added: “She would have come under huge pressure. She received death threats.”

The plan, put forward by Tory Zac Goldsmith, would have triggered a referendum if five per cent of voters in a constituency sign a “notice of intent to recall” and 20 per cent then sign a “recall petition”.