Ex-Clacton MP hints at standing against Nigel Farage in 'bemusing' by-election twist

Ex-Clacton MP Douglas Carswell has hinted about standing against Nigel Farage in the upcoming Clacton by-election.

Mr Carswell, who represented Clacton in the House of Commons as both a Tory and Ukip MP, admitted he was hopeful of his chances if he stood in the seat.

The prominent Brexiteer said: “Perhaps I should stand in the Clacton by-election?

“Be amusing and think I might actually win. Again.”

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Mr Carswell, who relocated to Mississippi after leaving Parliament, was considered a rival to Mr Farage despite defecting to Ukip in 2014.

The pair ended up campaigning for different pro-Brexit groups in 2016, with Mr Carswell supporting Vote Leave and Mr Farage becoming a figurehead for Leave.EU.

They found themselves again at loggerheads in 2017 when leaked emails appeared to suggest Mr Carswell mocked the suggestion Mr Farage should receive a knighthood.

Mr Carswell won his Clacton seat in a by-election held in 2014, later retaining the seat as Ukip’s sole MP at the 2015 General Election.

Despite Mr Farage previously accusing Mr Carswell of being a “fifth columnist” and a “Tory posh boy”, Mr Carswell last night appeared to defend Reform UK amid its ongoing financial scandal.

The 55-year-old, who also argued the onslaught was “orchestrated”, said: “It’s a deep state operation.”

Mr Farage resigned as the MP for Clacton and triggered the by-election after coming under pressure following reports he had received a £5million personal gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.

The investigation, which is now paused after being launched by Parliament's standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg, could still force Mr Farage to hold a second by-election if the complaint is eventually upheld.

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Further revelations about long-term ally and convicted fraudster George Cottrell providing funding for security and staffing heaped more pressure on Mr Farage.

Mr Farage has consistently denied any wrongdoing and claimed he is the target of an "establishment stitch-up"

The 62-year-old, who previously led both Ukip and the Brexit Party, won the coastal constituency of Clacton with a majority of 8,405.

Mr Farage's victory in Clacton came after seven failed attempts to enter the House of Commons, including in Eastleigh in 1994, Buckingham in 2010 and South Thanet in 2015.

Speaking to GB News in Clacton yesterday, Mr Farage said: "It seems that the media and political classes want to paint me out to be like a war criminal, as if everything I've ever done is wrong, is bent, is corrupt.

"I don't get a chance to properly answer it, and I don't see why I should be judged by them."

He added: "We'll ask the people here what they think, and if they give me a big endorsement, that sends a big message to the establishment.

"Both political parties and media, frankly, are not talking about the same things the country is talking about. These last two weeks, never-ending stories about me and Reform."

Mr Farage is not facing a challenge from any of the mainstream parties, with the Tories, Labour, and Liberal Democrats all confirming they will not field candidates in the seaside seat.

However, Count Binface is looking to challenge Mr Farage in Clacton.

The parody figure, who has never visited the Essex coastal constituency, emerged as the main anti-Reform candidate.

Mr Farage appeared somewhat surprised after the main parties decided to stand aside.

He told The Daily Mail: "Why would they [not contest]? It's a real election."

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