Ukip’s only MP Douglas Carswell has discussed re-defecting back the Tories after row with Nigel Farage
Revelation comes as the former leader says the Clacton MP was actively trying to damage the troubled party
UKIP’s only MP has discussed re-defecting back the Conservatives at the next election with senior Tories, the Sun can reveal.
The secret plan would see Douglas Carswell — who dramatically jumped ship in 2014 — restand under the Tory banner in his Essex constituency at 2020 after Brexit.
Our revelation comes as Nigel Farage said Mr Carswell was actively trying to damage the troubled party and must be thrown out immediately, in an extraordinary row over a knighthood for the ex-party chief.
Government Whips have already been in conversation with the Clacton MP over key EU votes, and he said recently “who knows what the world will look like” at the next election.
A senior Tory source said last night “we talked about him coming back to rejoin the Conservatives.”
“He’s basically counted as another Tory already,” they added.
Commons sources said discussions had taken place between Tory MPs and Mr Carswell in the Members Tea Room late last year.
Last night Mr Carswell told The Sun: “I am 100 per cent Ukip and will be staying with Ukip.
“But this is the first Brexit government in my lifetime and I am happy to help them get a good Brexit.”
Ukip’s bitter civil wars were reignited this week over bizarre claims that Mr Carswell had blocked a knighthood for former leader Nigel Farage.
Leaked emails showed Mr Carswell joked that Mr Farage should be given an OBE “for services to headline writers” instead.
But yesterday Nigel Farage hit back accusing the MP if being a “posh boy” who did not want to discuss immigration during the referendum.
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He said the emails showed Mr Carswell is “consumed with jealousy and a desire to hurt me” and called for him to be given the boot.
But Mr Carswell joked: “If he wants to come and talk to the Ukip Parliamentary Party about it, we are happy to put it on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.”
Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge said: “All we are saying is ‘Look, Douglas, you don’t like what we stand for, you don’t like our principles. Well, go on — go somewhere else.”
And major Ukip donor Arron Banks has suggested he is ready to stand against Mr Carswell in the 2020 general election.
Embattled leader Paul Nuttall broke off from his holiday to ask party chairman Paul Oakden to haul in Mr Carswell for a meeting about the row.
Last night a source said the exchange was “cordial and professional” with Mr Carswell unsactioned over the bitter dispute.