Ukip dismiss rumours Paul Nuttall will ‘definitely’ run in Stoke Central by-election

The anti-Brussels party will unveil its candidate to fight for the Commons seat at an event in the city this Saturday, sources confirmed.

Mr Nuttall was understood to be considering taking up the challenge in the constituency vacated by the resignation of Labour MP Tristram Hunt.

And today ITN quoted Ukip sources saying he was "definitely" going to be the candidate.

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Ukip dismiss rumours Paul Nuttall will 'definitely' run in Stoke Central by-election

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Nigel Farage was succeeded by Mr Nuttall as Ukip leader in November 2016

That report is rubbish – no decision has been taken

Ukip spokesman

But a Ukip spokesman said: "That report is rubbish – no decision has been taken."

Party chiefs are currently overseeing a selection process to determine the candidate to be announced on Saturday, the spokesman said.

Ukip has high hopes of snatching the seat after coming 5,179 votes behind Labour in second place at the last general election.

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The by-election was triggered after Labour MP Tristram Hunt resigned

Voters in the constituency backed Brexit in the EU referendum by a margin of 70-30.

Mr Hunt, once seen as a possible future Labour leader, has quit to take up a post as director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

In his farewell speech to the Commons, the former Labour frontbencher warned that his party's leadership had become detached from traditional Labour voters.

UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall visits the Roma ghetto in Sofia
Sun, February 10, 2013

Fakulteta district of Sofia, Bulgaria where 55,000 Bulgarian romas live in exteme poverty

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Roma children lie in squalor as they cry for food

He said: "I remember some days not meeting anyone in the Potteries who wished to stay inside the EU. But I, like many members in this House, accept the result.

"This division of opinion between the official Labour Party position and many of our heartland voters has served to only highlight the deep-seated challenges which centre-left parties are facing.

"From Greece to the Netherlands to Sweden to France, the combination of austerity, globalisation and EU policy has hammered social democratic politics."

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