Nigel Farage says he is ready to take over as Ukip leader once again

Nigel Farage is plotting a return to frontline politics and is preparing to launch a fresh campaign to become an MP, according to allies.

The former Ukip leader is looking for a new platform to relaunch his political career and is said to be eyeing a number of potential by-election opportunities, including Peterborough, which overwhelmingly voted to back Brexit.

The incumbent Labour MP, Fiona Onasanya, is to stand trial with her brother, Festus, accused of lying about speeding points in a case that bears a remarkable similarity to the case that ended the career of the former Liberal Democrat cabinet minister Chris Huhne.

Onasanya was charged with perverting the course of justice at Westminster magistrates’ court on July 12 and is due to appear