A Labour MP has been accused of a “severe lack of principle and backbone” after a photo emerged of him pledging to vote against axing winter fuel payments.

Stroke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell was pictured in the run-up to the 2017 General Election holding a sign that said: “If re-elected I promise to vote against the dementia tax, the cutting of the winter fuel allowance and commit to protect the pensions triple lock.”

But Mr Snell was among 348 Labour MPs who backed the controversial policy in a Commons vote yesterday

The picture has been circulated on social media following the crunch vote as Sir Keir Starmer continues to come under intense pressure.

Former Tory deputy chairman and Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis said: “Mr Snell’s dramatic U-turn shows a severe lack of principle and backbone.

“It is both cruel and callous to scrap the winter fuel payment from 47,500 pensioners across Stoke-on-Trent, who sadly live in one of Britain’s most deprived communities.

“Labour’s own impact assessment back in 2017 said cutting the winter fuel payment could kill around 4,000 pensioners.

“It’s disgusting that Mr Snell broke his ‘promise’ and voted to risk pensioners’ lives this winter.”

The Prime Minister saw off a Labour revolt to ram through the measure to restrict winter fuel payments to only those on pension credit.

The plan cleared the Commons on Tuesday with just one Labour rebel voting against it. However, dozens of MPs on the government benches were missing in action.

Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have insisted the change is needed to plug a £22billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which the Conservatives have denied.

Mr Snell was contacted for comment.