Arron Banks says he will not stand in Clacton as he hits out at Douglas Carswell

Former Ukip donor Arron Banks has announced that he will not fight Clacton at the general election.

The millionaire businessman had previously suggested he would contest the Essex seat after clashing with its MP Douglas Carswell.

But he has now thrown his support behind a local Ukip candidate after Mr Carswell announced he was standing down.

Mr Banks said the outgoing MP, who won the seat twice for Ukip but later quit the party, was a "hugely divisive figure and let a lot of people down in Clacton".

He said: "Douglas Carswell is the epitome of a nasty little career politician who didn't give two hoots for the area.

"He stood originally for Ukip because he knew they would win the seat in a general election.

"He used Ukip and did nothing for Clacton."