Ukip's Mark Reckless wins Rochester and Strood by-election

UKIP's Mark Reckless has been forced to deny clashing with his new party leader Nigel Farage, after he sparked controversy by suggesting EU migrants may have to leave the UK if Britain leaves the European Union.

Political Correspondent Romily Weeks reports.

The decision to go into coalition combined, with the Government's policies means the Tories stand no chance of an overall majority at next year's general election, Ukip defector Mark Reckless has said.

Speaking at the eurosceptic Bruges Group this morning, Mr Reckless said he had not thought a Conservative victory was a "serious prospect" since David Cameron went into coalition with Nick Clegg.

"That is largely because that decision led to unity on the left and a significant increase in the Labour vote due to departing Lib Dems," he argued.

He also hit out at Mr Cameron's leadership, saying: "How David Cameron and the Conservative-led government have governed over the last four and a half years has also tended, to put it mildly, to reduce the prospects of the Conservative Party being successfully returned at the next election."

However, he said the impact of Ukip's surge on Tory-held seats would be "small if any", whereas Ukip "can actually win seats in Labour areas from people who would never dream of voting Conservative.

Read: Mark Reckless 'sore' over immigration 'policy change'

Ukip's latest MP Mark Reckless has suggested his party's policy was "changed" in the wake of a row over comments he made about European migrants in a pre-election hustings.

Mr Reckless said he was in "very close contact" with Ukip leader Nigel Farage before the ITV hustings on Wednesday, the day before the poll, when opponents argued that he appeared to suggest European Union migrants could be asked to leave if the UK quit the alliance.

The party's second MP told the Times newspaper:

More: Will the Ukip phenomenon change British politics?

Conservative defector Mark Reckless won Rochester and Strood for Ukip with a margin of nearly 3,000 votes.

As the by-election triumphs for Ukip grew the claims of a turning point in British politics came thick and fast.

But will the Ukip phenomenon change the face of British politics? ITV News Political Editor Tom Bradby reports:

Mark Reckless' first day as a Ukip MP in Parliament has been documented by fellow Tory defector Douglas Carswell, including a "selfie" of the celebratory pair.

Mr Reckless was this morning sworn into Parliament after following Clacton MP Mr Carswell in successfully regaining the seat he relinquished upon switching from the Conservatives to Ukip.

• Read: Tory who almost defected says Ukip has peaked

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has revealed he will demand a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU next summer as a condition of entering a coalition with any other party.

He said that was their only 'red line issue' - and if the party with the biggest number of MPs following the General Election was not willing to offer that deal, he would refuse to partner up with anyone.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has welcomed the election of Ukip’s second MP, as Mark Reckless was voted in after a by-election in Rochester and Strood.

In interview today, Mr Farage said he believed the Tories had “tried too hard” in their election campaign, and said he believed Mr Reckless had done the right thing by letting his constituents decide whether to keep him in his seat after defecting.

He denied that he was riding on the back of protest votes, saying people "absolutely believed" in what the party stands for.

Ukip MP Mark Reckless has been sworn in following his re-election to Rochester and Strood before finding his new seat in the opposition benches.

Mr Reckless made his oath after approaching the dispatch box alongside fellow Tory defector Douglas Carswell.

Mr Reckless faced some heckling from Labour MPs on the opposition bench which Mr Carswell has used since his return to Parliament last month.

The Ukip duo will sit together in the second row of the opposition benches, behind Labour veteran Dennis Skinner.

• Read: Tory MP who nearly defected says Ukip have peaked

David Cameron has said he is "absolutely determined to win" the Rochester and Strood seat back after Conservative defector Mark Reckless's victory for Ukip.

The Prime Minister later expressed similar sentiments on Twitter, writing:

The result of next year's General Election is "completely impossible" to predict after last night's result in the Rochester and Strood by-election, Nigel Farage told Good Morning Britain.

The Ukip leader said anyone who tried to predict the result of May's vote was "wasting their time". He let slip his party would be launching a targeted campaign against key seats, but may "hold the balance of power" if there is a coalition.