Douglas Carswell rival Arron Banks says 'I know nothing about Clacton'

Former major UKIP donor Arron Banks has admitted knowing "nothing" about Clacton, despite planning to challenge current incumbent Douglas Carswell for the seat in June's snap election.

Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday announced her plans for voters to go to the polls as she wants to secure the backing of the British people for her Brexit negotiations.

Mr Banks said he would meet UKIP leader Paul Nuttall today to decide if he would stand for the party, but admitted he knew "nothing about Clacton at all".

"I've got a reputation for just saying it as it is," he said.

"My plan is to go down to Clacton, see what the issues are and then we'll start to campaign."

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MPs will vote later on whether to approve Mrs May's call for a general election on 8 June.

UKIP no longer have any MPs after Douglas Carswell - who had defected from the Tories - left the party last month.

After telling the BBC he knew nothing about Clacton, Mr Banks tweeted, external: "Honesty the best policy. I'll be down there next week for six weeks getting to know people and finding out all about Clacton."

Mr Carswell has yet to respond to the BBC about the election announcement.