GWENT’S only Conservative MP had defended comments made during an email conversation in which he called a science teacher “a disgrace to your profession”.

Harry Banks emailed Monmouth MP David Davies after an appearance on talk radio station LBC last week disputing claims he had made about climate change.

Mr Banks claimed the Tory MP had lied by denying temperatures had risen over the past 17 years, and the two had a fiery exchange of emails, culminating in Mr Davies calling the Surrey teacher “A disgrace to your profession”.

“I can confidently state that I know a damned sight more about climate change than you do or ever will,” he said.

“The first principle of science is a willingness to question things not to swallow hook line and sinker a load of propaganda which you then force feed to kids.”

Mr Banks reacted with shock to the MP’s words.

“I have contacted many MPs on a range of issues and never been spoken to like you have spoken to me,” he said.

“As a teacher I know reflective practice is very important.

“I suggest you reflect on your own practice and your way of dealing with the public.

“If you talk to many people in the way you have spoken to me you will not be in office for much longer.”

Mr Davies was unrepentant about his comments, calling Mr Banks “a pathetic little man”.

“He repeatedly called me a liar and I’m not having it,” he said.

“I had been fairly polite until the end.”

Mr Davies has previously said he does not believe greenhouse gas emissions are entirely responsible for increases in temperature across the globe.