A UKIP claim that a Kent MP is to step down due to "fear" of facing their leader Nigel Farage at the polls in 2015 have been thrown out by her closest political colleague.

When asked for a response from Mr Farage to yesterday's announcement by Laura Sandys, a party spokesman said: "UKIP in Kent have proved over the last few months that anything is possible.

"We believe that fear of having Nigel Farage as an opponent in 2015 would have been instrumental in her decision."

But North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale, who works alongside Mrs Sandys on many issues that affect the district covered by both their constituencies, wholeheartedly refuted the claim.

He said last night: "Laura's decision, which I am in a position to know that she has been carefully considering over many months, is based entirely upon personal and domestic considerations which I and I believe all of her many friends, will wish to respect.

"Those that seek to suggest any kind of political influence are, quite simply and characteristically, wrong."

Ms Sandys announced yesterday she would not be standing at the next general election in 2015 due to "growing personal responsibilities to those closest and dearest to me".

She said it had been a "difficult and heart-wrenching decision to make as there is no greater honour and privilege than representing the constituents of South Thanet".

Mr Farage stood and lost in Thanet South in 2005, since when there has been surge in the fortunes of UKIP.

Ms Sandys won the seat by a majority of more than 7,000 from then Labour MP Stephen Ladyman, who had represented the constituency since 1997, after winning the hotly contested seat from Tory Jonathan Aitken.

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