It has not been the best of weeks for Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman.
It began with his extraordinary admission that he quit as a government minister partly because he couldn’t afford to pay his mortgage on a salary of almost £120,000.
Then, it emerged he accidentally sent his nomination for a knighthood to more than 100 Conservative colleagues on WhatsApp.
His woes were compounded on Wednesday when his mortgage comments were seized on by Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions to score points against the government.
And it seems like things are not looking up for him on the streets of his constituency, where voters have been questioning whether his heart is really still in the job or if his attention is already elsewhere.
His comments about his mortgage raised the biggest reaction on the streets of Dereham this week.
READ MORE: Norfolk MP George Freeman mocked by Sir Keir Starmer over mortgage woes
Mr Freeman - who has said he wants to stand as an MP again at the next election - wrote in a blog post that one of the reasons he had stepped down as science minister in November was because he could not afford his rising mortgage on a ministerial salary.
As a backbench MP, he will now be able to make more money from lucrative second jobs.
That admission was enough for Christina Murray, 66, who said she will no longer vote for the MP.
“We’ve always voted Conservative, but we won’t be anymore," she said in Dereham town centre on Wednesday morning.
“If he can’t afford his mortgage he should sell his house and buy a smaller one. If he can’t cope, I don’t know how he expects others to.”
Gary Chapman, 63, also from Dereham, said: “I’ve lived here all my life and worked all my life.
“I’ve now got cancer which is terminal and I’m struggling for money.
“I’m struggling at this time of my life when I’ve worked all my life, yet we’ve got an MP who can’t afford to pay his mortgage despite earning £120,000 a year.
“I dread to think what sort of house he’s got if you can’t afford to pay it on that sort of money.
“Other people in the area seem to manage on much less.”
READ MORE: Coroner fights back tears as she opens inquests into tragic Costessey family death
Caroline Scott, 66, said she feels the MP’s “interests are elsewhere”.
“I think he should’ve kept it private because there are so many people living here who are much worse off,” she said.
“I wouldn’t vote for him.”
Debbie Morrison-Chapman, 61, said the comments were "a kick in the teeth” for locals struggling to pay their own mortgages.
“It’s blatant that he’s not interested in the area so let’s get someone in who is,” she said.
She was also irritated by the revelation that Mr Freeman had inadvertently shared a letter with colleagues, signed by three leading scientists backing him for a knighthood for services to science and public service.
It was reportedly sent in error by one of his junior staffers, who was trying to forward the letter to him.
The gushing letter said Mr Freeman was a “defining force” and “an outspoken advocate and champion" of science, research and innovation.
“Anyone else would’ve been out campaigning, not pursuing a knighthood," Ms Morrison-Chapman added.
Barry Dack, 78, added: "He didn’t do himself any favours saying what he did. He should be for the people, not worrying about the money.
"If you have to go looking for something and chase it, it means nothing. It would be different if he was recommended for the knighthood by his own constituents."
Paul James, 63, from Shipdham, said he no longer trusted the MP.
“I think the money is all they’re interested in to be honest," he said.
"At the end of the day they’re all looking out for themselves. They’re all looking after number one - looking after their own interests.
"When the next election comes up I have every intention of spoiling my ballot paper. I don’t trust any of them."
The knighthood nomination letter
A section of the letter, signed by three leading scientist, nominating Mr Freeman for a knighthood for services to science and public service, read:
"An outspoken advocate and champion of the importance of UK science, research and innovation, over four ministerial roles under four prime ministers in the 14 years, since giving up a 15-year career in bioscience venture investing, George Freeman has been a defining force in the significant rise in the recognition, funding and priority given to science, research and innovation by successive governments over the last 14 years.
"His track record of achievements in this period stands for itself as testament to his outstanding commitment to this vital agenda for UK prosperity and security.
"We have no hesitation in putting forward George Freeman for a knighthood for services to science and public service."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here