Douglas Carswell told ITV's Peston On Sunday he wanted to "support" the government as a "critical friend" but refused to rule out a return.

Ukip quitter Carswell 'not planning' on rejoining Tories

The Ukip leader confirmed he had "no prior warning" of Douglas Carswell's resignation from the party as he hit out at the "staunch Tory".

Nuttall 'learned Carswell quit Ukip from friend's text'

Ukip's only MP Douglas Carswell is quitting the party and will sit in the House of Commons as the independent MP for Clacton. 

Banks tweeted Carswell had lied when he said on Peston on Sunday that he was not going to rejoin the Tories.

Nigel Farage, who is an MEP for part of the Anglia region, has stepped down as leader of the UK Independence Party.

Essex Ukip MP Douglas Carswell has "made history" because as a party of one he staged a backbench rebellion", the PM has told MPs.

Douglas Carswell, who defected from the Conservative party and won back his seat as a Ukip candidate, has been introduced to the Commons.

The MP for Clacton, Douglas Carswell, has been told to get a sense of humour by the Prime Minister David Cameron. 