If you thought the political mudslinging might slow down after the general election, think again.

The rhetoric is still flying, at least in Sutton, after Conservative Beddington South councillor Neil Garratt claimed Liberal Democrats had become "a parody of themselves" since the vote.

His Twitter post followed a statement by Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake decrying "heartless Tories" who hope to repeal the Human Rights Act.

Mr Brake wrote on the Liberal Democrat website: "What sort of message would the Tories send to brutal dictators across the world if we abandoned our human rights obligations? 

"These are fundamental rights we all have and they define how we treat our citizens and offer our citizens protection from the state. 

"The next five years will be nastier, less liberal and less compassionate than any Government in living memory."

Mr Brake is one of the few Lib Dem MPs left in Parliament after a sweeping Conservative victory earlier this month.