A MAN who plunged to his death from the walls of a Hampshire castle has been named.

Political activist Michael Keith-Smith died after falling from the top of Portchester Castle, moments after it opened its doors to members of the public. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

The 57-year-old, of Castle Road, Portchester, was the cofounder of the right-leaning political group the Conservative Democratic Alliance.

Also known as Mike Smith, the chartered surveyor was expelled from the Tories in 2002 for threatening to put up candidates from the Alliance against the Conservatives. But he was reinstated following a High Court writ, finally leaving the party of his own accord to join UKIP.

As reported by the Daily Echo, families were left shocked after the discovery was made in the grounds of the castle at 10am on Saturday.

He had fallen from the top of the medieval castle’s keep.

The keep was closed for the day as police launched an investigation into the incident.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned at Portsmouth Coroner’s Court.