UKIP's Nigel Farage calls defecting Tory MP 'honourable'

The former Conservative backbencher Douglas Carswell, who defected to UKIP, has returned to his constituency of Clacton accompanied by his new leader.

Nigel Farage has claimed that there are an increasing number of both Conservative and Labour MPs who will follow Mr Carswell's example should he win the upcoming by-election.

Mr Carswell decided to stand down as an MP - rather than sitting in the Commons under a UKIP banner until next year's general election - triggering a by-election in his Essex constituency.

Mr Farage has praised Mr Carswell as "honourable".