A Wirral politician was left “shocked and shaken” after she says she was “verbally abused” in the street while out campaigning.

Cllr Moira McLaughlin, who sits as an Independent member on Wirral Council, said the incident happened on St Paul’s Road in Rock Ferry last month.

Cllr McLaughlin, a senior politician who quit the Labour Party in October having served as a councillor for 23 years, has reported the incident to the police.

Speaking this week, Cllr McLaughlin said she was defiant she would not be deterred from campaigning.

“While I was shaken by what’s happened, I will not be put off working with my colleagues and for my constituents,” she said.

The incident came ahead of May’s local elections, with Cllr McLaughlin out campaigning for her Independent colleague Cllr Chris Meaden at the time.

On Tuesday, a Merseyside Police spokesman confirmed that a cease and desist letter – a warning used by forces to prevent crime – had been issued to the member of the public in question.

He added: “In relation to a reported public order incident on Monday 25 March, we have investigated the matter and no further action will be taken at this time.”

Cllr McLaughlin, who was chairwoman of Wirral Labour before her resignation, is one of a whole host of the borough’s politicians – including Birkenhead MP Frank Field – to have quit the party over allegations of bullying.

She is one of four Independent members who currently hold seats on the council.