ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Allegations that senior Brexit Party figures were offered peerages to persuade them to stand down in the general election are being assessed by Scotland Yard.

Lord Falconer wrote to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and Director of Public Prosecutions calling for a probe into what he said were “exceptionally serious allegations” of electoral fraud.

The Labour former lord chancellor said it should be investigated as a matter of urgency and must be looked at by police in order to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the election.

His letter to Dame Cressida Dick and Max Hill QC refers to Nigel Farage’s claim that he and eight other senior figures within the Brexit Party were offered peerages by people working "deep inside Number 10".

The Metropolitan Police said: “The MPS has received two allegations of electoral fraud and malpractice in relation to the 2019 General Election.

“The MPS special enquiry team is responsible for investigating all such criminal allegations. Both allegations are currently being assessed. The MPS will not be providing comment about individual cases.”

Mr Farage has claimed he had repeatedly been offered a seat in the House of Lords in an attempt to persuade him to “go quietly”.

He said that when that failed, people working “deep inside Number 10” had tried to bypass him, going directly to senior Brexit Party figures and suggesting eight of them could be made peers if they could persuade him to withdraw more of his candidates.

In his letter, Lord Falconer said: “I believe these allegations raise serious questions about the integrity of the upcoming General Election, and in particular whether senior individuals at CCHQ or No. 10 have breached two sections of the Representation of the People Act 1983.”

He then cites the parts of the Act which refers to “bribery” and “corruptly”, inducing or procuring someone to withdraw from being a candidate at an election.

Commenting on the letter on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Michael Gove said: “I’ve got great respect for Charlie Falconer (Lord Falconer) but I think that this sounds pretty nonsensical to me.”

Lord Falconer said that as breaches of the 1983 Act may have taken place, he is “formally requesting that the Director of Public Prosecutions do institute the necessary investigations and commence such prosecutions as he sees fit”.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that there may have been “conversations” between senior Tories and people in the Brexit Party, but flatly denied there had been any offers of peerages, saying that was “just not the way we operate”.

Lord Falconer said: “These are exceptionally serious allegations which the DPP must, in accordance with his statutory duty, fully investigate as a matter of urgency.

“In addition, in order to maintain public confidence in the integrity of our electoral processes and this election, it is crucial that the Metropolitan Police also examine these accusations.”

The row came amid growing pressure on Mr Farage in the run-up to the close of nominations on Thursday to stand down Brexit Party candidates in all but a few dozen constituencies to avoid splitting the pro-Leave vote.

General Election 2019 - In pictures 83 show all General Election 2019 - In pictures 1/83 Boris Johnson votes in Westminster with his dog Jeremy Selwyn 2/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, making reindeer hot chocolate pouches with pupils who are ministers in the school's cabinet, during a visit to Sandylands Community Primary School in Morecambe, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 3/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate for Edinburgh South Catriona MacDonald (right) during a visit to Digin Community Greengrocer in Edinburgh, on the last day of the General Election campaign trai PA 4/83 British opposition Liberal Democrats Party Leader Jo Swinson conducts an interview on a phone as she joins activists for a final day election rally in Guildford AP 5/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a freshly baked pie during a visit to the Red Olive in Derby, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 6/83 Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds a baby after speaking to supporters during a campaign event in Bolton AFP via Getty Images 7/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson loads a crate into a delivery van during a visit to Greenside Farm Business Park in Leeds, ahead of Thursday's General Election PA 8/83 Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate Kirsten Oswald take part in a knitting demonstration at the Ory Mil Getty Images 9/83 Boris Johnson holds a placard reading 'We'll have Brexit done' in a pop-culture inspired campaign video 10/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in Big Mel's Barbershop, Carmarthen having his beard trimmed, while on the General Election campaign trail in Wales PA 11/83 Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson playing tennis as she visits Shinfield Tennis Club, where she will discuss policies aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and tackling child obesity, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 12/83 Count Binface PA 13/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a warm up before the Hazel Grove United JFC vs Poynton Juniors girls soccer match, as he campaigns in Cheadle Hulme Reuters 14/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson uses a sewing machine during a visit to the John Smedley Mill, while election campaigning in Matlock, Derbyshire. PA 15/83 Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for photos with supporters during a general election campaign rally in Birmingham, Britain Reuters 16/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his visit to the Grodzinski Bakery in Golders Green PA 17/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn serves students and teachers their school dinners at Bilton High School in Rugby, PA 18/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon plays with local children during a visit to the Jelly Tots & Cookies Play Cafe in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire PA 19/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts to change a wheel of a Formula One car during a visit at Red Bull Racing while election campaigning PA 20/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson plays pool during a visit to Knights Youth Centre in London, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 21/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn eats chips in Whitby, while on the General Election campaign trail, wearing a jacket that has "for the many not the few" printed all over it PA 22/83 Boris Johnson on LBC Radio Jeremy Selwyn 23/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds some flowers as he meets supporters during a visit to Thurrock in Essex whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 24/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a sip from a pint of Rattler cider as he visits Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm in Callestick, Cornwall AFP via Getty Images 25/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make a chicken tikka masala during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow PA 26/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he enjoyed a cream tea before he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 27/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Silkstone Inn, Barnsley, PA 28/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign traiL PA 29/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson arrives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, for some national canvassing during the General Election campaign PA 30/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits the Royal Welsh Showground, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 31/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on a cherry picker during a visit to an eco home building site whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Sheffield PA 32/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during a visit to the West Nottinghamshire College Construction Centre, in Ashfield PA 33/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon gives her party's candidate for North East Fife Stephen Gethins a haircut, during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife PA 34/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 35/83 Labour Manifesto launch Jeremy Selwyn 36/83 Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham Lucy Young 37/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife, whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 38/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 39/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to The Oatcake Boat owned by Kay Mundy, in Stoke-on-Trent, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 40/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio PA 41/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling AFP via Getty Images 42/83 Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 43/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy at Wythenshawe, while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 44/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson eats a candy stick which reads "Back Boris" during a General Election campaign trail stop at Coronation Candy in Blackpool, AP 45/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton PA 46/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald AFP via Getty Images 47/83 Jo Swinson at Total Boxer Jeremy Selwyn 48/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a gift card with an image mocking him, during a General Election campaign trail stop in Wells AP 49/83 Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning PA 50/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton AFP via Getty Images 51/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing gloves as he poses with British boxer Dereck Chisora, during his visit to Gator ABC Boxing Club in Ilford AFP via Getty Images 52/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning PA 53/83 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London Reuters 54/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts PA 55/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow PA 56/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield Getty Images 57/83 Brexit party leader Nigel Farage eats fish and chips from Whitehaven Fish Bar Takeaway Restaurant during a walkabout after attending an election campaign even Getty Images 58/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laughs during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project, Sunny Bank Mills, The Spinning Mill in Leeds Getty Images 59/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson eats a marshmallow during a visit to Free Rangers Nursery while on the General Election campaign trail in Midsomer Norton PA 60/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool PA 61/83 Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green Getty Images 62/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries his hand at making an Antony Gormley inspired clay figure during an arts class whilst visiting the George Spencer Academy in Nottingham, while on the General Election campaign trail around the country PA 63/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa PA 64/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps quality control staff during a general election campaign visit to the Tayto Castle crisp factory in County Armagh, Northern Ireland Reuters 65/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire PA 66/83 Britain's opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow AP 67/83 Boris Johnson at Downing Street Jeremy Selwyn 68/83 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie (right) and party General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton on the General Election campaign trail in Blackhall, Edinburgh PA 69/83 Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election @carriesymonds 70/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian Getty Images 71/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on route to Buckingham Palace ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Election AP 72/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington PA 73/83 Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield Reuters 74/83 Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury's hand in Battersea Jeremy Selwyn 75/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC's The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 76/83 Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party's election campaign in south London AFP via Getty Images 77/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon helps to serve soup during a visit to the Lochside Community Centre in Dumfries, to meet voters and activists while on the General Election campaign. PA 78/83 Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds Getty Images 79/83 Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 80/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen PA 81/83 Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes PA 82/83 Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street AFP via Getty Images 83/83 Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street Reuters 1/83 Boris Johnson votes in Westminster with his dog Jeremy Selwyn 2/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, making reindeer hot chocolate pouches with pupils who are ministers in the school's cabinet, during a visit to Sandylands Community Primary School in Morecambe, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 3/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate for Edinburgh South Catriona MacDonald (right) during a visit to Digin Community Greengrocer in Edinburgh, on the last day of the General Election campaign trai PA 4/83 British opposition Liberal Democrats Party Leader Jo Swinson conducts an interview on a phone as she joins activists for a final day election rally in Guildford AP 5/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a freshly baked pie during a visit to the Red Olive in Derby, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 6/83 Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds a baby after speaking to supporters during a campaign event in Bolton AFP via Getty Images 7/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson loads a crate into a delivery van during a visit to Greenside Farm Business Park in Leeds, ahead of Thursday's General Election PA 8/83 Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidate Kirsten Oswald take part in a knitting demonstration at the Ory Mil Getty Images 9/83 Boris Johnson holds a placard reading 'We'll have Brexit done' in a pop-culture inspired campaign video 10/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in Big Mel's Barbershop, Carmarthen having his beard trimmed, while on the General Election campaign trail in Wales PA 11/83 Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson playing tennis as she visits Shinfield Tennis Club, where she will discuss policies aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and tackling child obesity, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 12/83 Count Binface PA 13/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a warm up before the Hazel Grove United JFC vs Poynton Juniors girls soccer match, as he campaigns in Cheadle Hulme Reuters 14/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson uses a sewing machine during a visit to the John Smedley Mill, while election campaigning in Matlock, Derbyshire. PA 15/83 Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for photos with supporters during a general election campaign rally in Birmingham, Britain Reuters 16/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his visit to the Grodzinski Bakery in Golders Green PA 17/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn serves students and teachers their school dinners at Bilton High School in Rugby, PA 18/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon plays with local children during a visit to the Jelly Tots & Cookies Play Cafe in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire PA 19/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempts to change a wheel of a Formula One car during a visit at Red Bull Racing while election campaigning PA 20/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson plays pool during a visit to Knights Youth Centre in London, while on the General Election campaign trail PA 21/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn eats chips in Whitby, while on the General Election campaign trail, wearing a jacket that has "for the many not the few" printed all over it PA 22/83 Boris Johnson on LBC Radio Jeremy Selwyn 23/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn holds some flowers as he meets supporters during a visit to Thurrock in Essex whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 24/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes a sip from a pint of Rattler cider as he visits Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm in Callestick, Cornwall AFP via Getty Images 25/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson helps make a chicken tikka masala during a visit to the Ashoka restaurant in Bearsden, Glasgow PA 26/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he enjoyed a cream tea before he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 27/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage drinks a pint in the Silkstone Inn, Barnsley, PA 28/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, near Redruth in Cornwall where he and George Eustice M.P. helped with packaging whilst on the General Election campaign traiL PA 29/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson arrives in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, for some national canvassing during the General Election campaign PA 30/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits the Royal Welsh Showground, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 31/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson on a cherry picker during a visit to an eco home building site whilst on the General Election campaign trail in Sheffield PA 32/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during a visit to the West Nottinghamshire College Construction Centre, in Ashfield PA 33/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon gives her party's candidate for North East Fife Stephen Gethins a haircut, during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife PA 34/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Health Secretary Matt Hancock during a visit to Bassetlaw District General Hospital in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 35/83 Labour Manifesto launch Jeremy Selwyn 36/83 Nigel Farage visits the Brook pie and mash shop in Dagenham Lucy Young 37/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Craig Boyd Hairdressing in Leven, Fife, whilst on the General Election campaign trail PA 38/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to David Wilson Homes in Bedford while on the campaign trail for the General Election PA 39/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to The Oatcake Boat owned by Kay Mundy, in Stoke-on-Trent, while on the General Election campaign trai PA 40/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson during a visit to Trumpington Park Primary School, in Cambridge, whilst campaigning for the General Electio PA 41/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts during a general election campaign visit to Perthshire Preserves in Stirling AFP via Getty Images 42/83 Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid during a visit to Nanaksar Gurdwara in Coventry while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 43/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy at Wythenshawe, while on the campaign trail ahead of the General Election PA 44/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson eats a candy stick which reads "Back Boris" during a General Election campaign trail stop at Coronation Candy in Blackpool, AP 45/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to West Monkton CEVC Primary School in Bathpool, Taunton PA 46/83 Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon (R) holds a baby as she campaigns with SNP candidate Catriona MacDonald AFP via Getty Images 47/83 Jo Swinson at Total Boxer Jeremy Selwyn 48/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a gift card with an image mocking him, during a General Election campaign trail stop in Wells AP 49/83 Nigel Farage holds a fish during a stop at the Grimsby Seafood Village during General Election campaigning PA 50/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Rosie the rabbit during a visit to a primary school in Taunton AFP via Getty Images 51/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing gloves as he poses with British boxer Dereck Chisora, during his visit to Gator ABC Boxing Club in Ilford AFP via Getty Images 52/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tries a scone in Bentley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, during General Election campaigning PA 53/83 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan practices with a sparing partner Tyler Brindle as he visits a community boxing gym in London Reuters 54/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to The Shed, a Climate Challenge community project at North Edinburgh Arts PA 55/83 Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre in Glasgow PA 56/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps with the clean up at an opticians as he visits Matlock in Sheffield Getty Images 57/83 Brexit party leader Nigel Farage eats fish and chips from Whitehaven Fish Bar Takeaway Restaurant during a walkabout after attending an election campaign even Getty Images 58/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn laughs during a visit to the Scrap Creative Reuse Arts Project, Sunny Bank Mills, The Spinning Mill in Leeds Getty Images 59/83 Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson eats a marshmallow during a visit to Free Rangers Nursery while on the General Election campaign trail in Midsomer Norton PA 60/83 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn unveils the Labour battle bus while on the General Election campaign trail in Liverpool PA 61/83 Leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson attends an election campaign event in Golders Green Getty Images 62/83 Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries his hand at making an Antony Gormley inspired clay figure during an arts class whilst visiting the George Spencer Academy in Nottingham, while on the General Election campaign trail around the country PA 63/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eats a cupcake during a visit to a bakery whilst on the election campaign trail in Alloa PA 64/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson helps quality control staff during a general election campaign visit to the Tayto Castle crisp factory in County Armagh, Northern Ireland Reuters 65/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during a visit to Bolsover Boxing Club near Chesterfield in Derbyshire PA 66/83 Britain's opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech during their election campaign event on Brexit in Harlow AP 67/83 Boris Johnson at Downing Street Jeremy Selwyn 68/83 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie (right) and party General Election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton on the General Election campaign trail in Blackhall, Edinburgh PA 69/83 Carrie Symonds shares a picture of Dilyn the dog ready for the General Election @carriesymonds 70/83 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a guitar as she visits Dalkeith Community Hub with Owen Thompson, SNP election candidate for Midlothian Getty Images 71/83 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street on route to Buckingham Palace ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General Election AP 72/83 Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage addresses supporters at the Washington Central Hotel in Workington PA 73/83 Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice poses as he wears boxing gloves at a general election campaign event at Bolsover Boxing Club in Chesterfield Reuters 74/83 Jeremy Corbyn kisses Emily Thornbury's hand in Battersea Jeremy Selwyn 75/83 Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson takes a selfie as she appears on BBCC's The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 76/83 Jeremy Corbyn prepares to launch the Labour Party's election campaign in south London AFP via Getty Images 77/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon helps to serve soup during a visit to the Lochside Community Centre in Dumfries, to meet voters and activists while on the General Election campaign. PA 78/83 Boris Johnson looks at old photographs of London with students at Abbots Green Primary Academy in Bury St Edmunds Getty Images 79/83 Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr Show BBC/AFP via Getty Images 80/83 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has a coffee in Cafe Gelato, Rutherglen PA 81/83 Jeremy Corbyn takes a selfie while on the General Election campaign trail in Milton Keynes PA 82/83 Boris Johnson as he leaves 10 Downing Street AFP via Getty Images 83/83 Larry the cat walks outside Downing Street Reuters

The Brexit Party leader had already said they would not contest the 317 seats which the Conservatives had won in the 2017 election.

Suspicions that individual Brexit Party candidates were coming under pressure to stand aside were heightened after the prospective candidate for Dudley North announced he would not be running.

Rupert Lowe, a Brexit Party MEP and former chairman of Southampton FC, revealed his decision as nominations were closing – meaning it was too late for the party to put forward an alternative.

Lord Falconer’s letter includes a mention of Ann Widdecombe, the former Tory MP now standing for the Brexit Party in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport.

Ms Widdecombe said she was offered a role in the Brexit negotiations if she was prepared to stand aside.​

Additional reporting by Press Association.