An Ashtead learning disability campaigner got to hold MP Chris Grayling to task when she shadowed him in Westminster for a day.

Meeting the leader of the House of Commons last month, Ciara Lawrence, 36, quizzed Mr Grayling about getting more people with learning disabilities involved in politics.

The campaigns assistant for Mencap said: "It was really lovely for him to invite me to Westminster for the day, but I still asked the tough questions about learning disability.

"We know some people don’t have the right attitude about learning disability and when I asked him if there should be more people in positions of responsibility he said: ‘Of course there should be’.

"He also agreed with me that we need to make politics more accessible to people with learning disabilities. That was really positive."

Ms Lawrence, who has worked for Mencap for 16 years, kicked off the day with a meeting in Mr Grayling's parliamentary office, followed by watching him field questions from MPs about international business, the church and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

She said: "Seeing what he does was really interesting. I’m glad he invited me because it was an amazing experience and he's just a really nice man."