Tory defector Douglas Carswell takes up seat in House of Commons as Ukip MP

Tory defector Douglas Carswell shakes the hand of Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow Credit: PA Wire

Ukip's new MP Douglas Carswell has formally taken his seat on the opposition benches of the House of Commons.

Mr Carswell recently won the by-election in Clacton with a resounding 12,000-vote majority after defecting as a Conservative MP.

There were a few half-hearted jeers as he bowed to some of his former Tory colleagues, but most of the short ceremony was performed in silence:

New MPs are traditionally introduced to the House by two current MPs. Mr Carswell was flanked by Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith and the Father of House Sir Peter Tapsell.

One seated MP was reportedly heard to shout "we're full up" as Mr Carswell walked up to take his oath.

It did not escape Mr Carswell's notice that his swearing in caused a frisson of excitement in Parliament, as he later tweeted: