EX-MP ‘misled voters to get support for Ukip’

A former Conservative MP targeted the “elderly and infirm” to get support for Ukip candidates in local elections, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Dr Bob Spink was Tory MP for Castle Point in Essex before becoming Ukip’s first MP after defecting in 2008. He is accused of submitting false signatures on nomination papers in April 2016.

Dr Spink, 69, and James Parkin, 38 – then Ukip’s election agent – both deny misleading constituents as to the purpose of the signatures.

At the time Dr Spink was standing for election as the local Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), after losing his seat in 2010.