Tory MP Nick Fletcher has suggested voters should back Reform UK in Ashfield at the general election.
Posting on social media, the MP for Don Valley said Lee Anderson - who defected from the Tory Party earlier this year - is Ashfield's "greatest champion". Fletcher said he "hopes" voters "appreciate what he has done for his home town" at the next election.
Writing on X, he said: "I so wish Lee Anderson had remained with the Conservatives.
"However having lost the whip it would mean the Conservative Party would choose someone other than Lee to fight the election in Ashfield. I can understand in those circumstances why he joined Reform.
Tory MP Nick Fletcher has called on voters to back Reform UK in Ashfield at the general election
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"Ashfield has its greatest champion and I hope they appreciate what he has done for his home town and his country at the next election.
"I hope my constituents see that a vote for me in Doncaster is also the right thing to do. I am a lone voice in parliament shouting up for Doncaster. We both need to be back in Westminster along with [Tory MPs] Ben Bradley, Brendan Clarke and Marco Longhi."
Fletcher is at risk of losing the Tory whip as a result of his remarks.
His comments came after Anderson this morning said he would not be campaigning in Fletcher's seat, or three other seats held by his "mates".
This is despite Reform UK pledging to stand candidates in every Tory-held seat.
Anderson said he would not stand in the seats held by Fletcher in Don Valley, Ben Bradley in Mansfield, Brendan Clarke-Smith in Bassetlaw and Marco Longhi in Dudley North.
In a post on social media, Anderson said: "These people are my friends and the ones that reached out to me last month.
"They will always be my friends and because of this I will not campaign against them in their Parliamentary seats. Friendship means more to me. Every other seat is fair game."
Reform has confirmed that it will still field candidates and campaign in those seats, but said they "respect" his decision to duck out of the campaign trail.
Posting on social media, the MP for Don Valley said Lee Anderson, who defected from the Tory Party earlier this year, is Ashfield's "greatest champion"
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A spokesperson from Reform UK said: "Lee Anderson made it clear from the day he joined Reform UK that he would not personally campaign against a handful of his close friends.
"The party respect this decision and it shows Lee’s loyalty to his friends, which goes beyond politics.
"Reform will be standing in these constituencies and will be fighting the Conservatives across the board in England, Wales and Scotland.
"The Tories have betrayed the country by failing to control our borders and allowing our public services to crumble. We will punish them at the General Election."
