The words "Fracking Whore" written in red were daubed on the front signage of Tory MP Charlotte Leslie's office in Henleaze Road on January 29, prompting police to visit her office to confirm they would treat it as vandalism and were investigating.

This follows controversy earlier last week when Liberal Democrat MP for Wells, Tessa Munt, was forced to resign from government after she voted against the government on fraccing.

MPs overwhelmingly rejected the bid to ban fraccing by 308 votes to 52.

Munt, who resigned as a parliamentary aide to Business Secretary Vince Cable after voting against the government on fraccing, said it was "with regret" she had quit, but she would not compromise on her opposition to fraccing.

She defied the party whip to support a rebel amendment seeking a moratorium on shale gas extraction. Munt said it was clear her views could not be reconciled with the government on the matter and that she would "continue to campaign vocally" against fraccing.

Leslie shrugged it off when media approached her about the incident.

"It's a bit of spray paint - you have to do a lot more to offend me, but I can understand why people are upset," she told the BBC.

"I understand why people are upset by fraccing, but from my point of view it's the least worst of all the future energy options available to us," Leslie told The Bristol Post.

"If we want to keep our lifestyles as they currently are, we do need a new source of energy.

"If people are upset I do think that using an aerosol isn't really the best way of protesting - it's vandalism, it's a crime.

"I have heard a lot worse and am far from offended.

"If you feel really strongly about something do something positive - join a political party, stand against me if you want to and have the opportunity to vote against fracking in Parliament.

"Get involved; don't just scrawl something on my notice board."