A FORMER UKIP candidate who suggested a Hampshire Tory MP was picked for her "gender and ethnicity" has defected to the Conservative Party.

Tom Davies cited the "chaos" of UKIP nationally and locally as the reason for joining the Conservative party - and slammed party leader Nigel Farage for refusing to resign following his election defeat.

He has been a UKIP candidate twice in Hampshire and Fareham Conservatives consider his recruitment a significant scalp.

Mr Davies said: "The post-election chaos has been embarrassing. Nigel Farage said he would resign if he lost - he lost and he is still the leader.

"With the only UKIP MP seemingly at odds with his party as well the whole situation has turned into a complete fiasco.

"That fiasco has been mirrored locally in Fareham and Gosport.

"For purely party political reasons I have been highly and personally critical of both Suella Fernandes MP and Fareham Council leader Seán Woodward.

"I was wrong and I am happy to apologise for the statements I made and the way in which I made them."

Mr Davies also urged his fellow UKIP members to join him in defecting to the Conservatives and said the "openness and spirit" of the party convinced him to make the move.

Despite their differences Cllr Woodward admitted he admired Mr Davies' commitment to politics and called on other UKIP members to "come home" to his party.

He said: "I have been impressed with Tom Davies' work ethic in Portchester and know that he wants to get things done for the people of his home town.

"He has demonstrated his commitment to Conservative principles and will, I am sure, prove to be an asset to our party.

"I am sure many other members of UKIP will not be far behind him in coming home to the Conservatives."

Ms Fernandes said: "With UKIP in complete disarray, I'm sure Tom won't be the last in joining the Conservative Party."