Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said it was impossible to create a 'foolsafe' process for candidates as the party faced fresh questions about checks on those joining.

ALT: Bob Mortimer's Excited Thumbs Up on Wilty

The party leader broke cover today after three councillors left the party in the wake of ITV broadcasting covert recordings of them expressing offensive views.

The Conservatives were on 24 per cent with More in Common today, three points ahead of Nigel Farage's party and closing the gap on Labour.

The current Labour government has already announced major crackdowns on immigration, including disrupting gangs.

Mr Polanski conceded defeat to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali in the seat vacated by Sir Keir Starmer just after 2.30amin the early hours of this morning.

Caroline Lucas, also a former party leader, castigated Mr Polanski in a TV interview for missing a weekend party conference vote that passed a highly controversial 'Zionism is racism' policy.