Carswell's defection to UKIP a 'magnificent gesture'

UKIP MEP Patrick O'Flynn described former Conservative MP Douglas Carswell's defection to UKIP as a "magnificent gesture" and an "irresistible pitch" to his voters.

However when questioned by Kirsty Wark on BBC Newsnight he refused to be drawn on the possibility of more MPs choosing to leave their parties for UKIP.

Mr O'Flynn said he was sure some Tory MPs "think about these things" but insisted "one can only imagine what is in the mind of Conservative MPs".