Nigel Farage has insisted the Clacton by-election is “real” - despite being ridiculed for his only opponent being a bin.
The Reform leader triggered the contest on Tuesday amid growing scrutiny over his finances after reports that long-term ally George Cottrell had provided undeclared funding for security and staffing in the year before he was elected.
But he is facing claims the election will be a “farce” after all the major parties said they would not stand against him, leaving his only opponent as “joke” candidate Count Binface.
Asked on Thursday if he had considered the possibility of fighting as the only proper candidate, he told the Daily Mail: “No, of course not. Why would they [not contest]? It's a real election.”
He added: “The fact Labour and the Conservatives don't want to stand, they're both showing contempt for the electorate. They can use whatever terms they want - it's a real election with real people.”
On Thursday morning, ministers suggested Mr Farage was “trying to pretend he’s Donald Trump” by calling a by-election.
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