UKIP MEP defects to Tories

UKIP MEP defector Marta Andreasen's praise of David Cameron's "game changing" keynote address on Britain's role in the EU appears to contradict statements she previously made about the Prime Minister's "naive" speech.

Following her defection to the Conservatives, Mrs Andreasen commended Mr Cameron after he "promised to turn around the European freight train, which is currently heading towards a deeper federal Europe with no options for Britain."

Yet the Oxford Mail quoted quite a different response from her last month, with her telling the newspaper:

The MEP Marta Andreasen has defected from the UK Independence Party to the Conservatives, saying it was partly due to the UKIP leader not deciding to stand in the upcoming Eastleigh by-election.

ITV News Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship reports on the Eastleigh by-election:

Read: More on Andreasen's defect to the Conservatives.

Read: Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship's take on the UKIP MEP's Tory switch.

The Press Association political correspondent James Tapsfield has tweeted reaction from UKIP leader Nigel Farage to MEP Marta Andreasen's defection to the Conservatives:

Read more: Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship on why Andreasen's switch to the Tories is a blow to Farage's party

• Marta Andreasen was elected as a member of the European Parliament for United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) in 2009.

• In 2002, the Argentine-born Spanish accountant was employed by the European Commission as Chief Accountant and raised concerns about the commission's accounting system.
• According to her website, Andreasen felt the commission's accounting system left the commission vulnerable to potential fraud.

• Andreasen called for party leader Nigel Farage to resign after UKIP's council election performances in 2011.
• Earlier this month Andreasen threatened to quit the party and called Farage a "Stalinist dictator" in an interview with LondonlovesBusiness.com.
• She defected to the Conservatives today.

The MEP Marta Andreasen, who has defected from the UK Independence Party to the Conservatives, has said "it's not a decision I took lightly."

Here is a full list of Eastleigh's by-election candidates:

• Colin Bex - Wessex Regionalists
• David Bishop - Elvis Loves Pets Party
• Jim Duggan - Peace Party
• Ray Hall - Beer, Baccy and Crumpet Party
• Howling Laud Hope - Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party
• Maria Hutchings - Conservative
• Diane James - UK Independence Party

• Dr Iain Maclennan - National Health Action Party
• Kevin Milburn - Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship"
• John O'Farrell - Labour
• Darren Procter - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
• Danny Stupple - Independent
• Mike Thornton - Liberal Democrats
• Michael Walters - English Democrats

For full coverage of the Eastleigh by-election, which takes place on 28 February, visit ITV Meridian.

The UK Independence Party MEP Marta Andreasen has defected to the Conservatives.

She alleges that UKIP leader Nigel Farage "treats any views other than his own with contempt."

She adds: "Essentially, I do not see the party being led to achieve presence in Westminster which is the place where decisions can be made to stop the EU juggernaut."

Ms Andreasen says she was convinced to switch to the Conservatives after David Cameron's "game changer" speech on Britain's relations with Europe, pledging an in-out referendum on the issue.

"I was also reassured by the financial deal that David Cameron got for Britain on the EU Budget", she added.