Douglas Carswell has held secret talks with the Tories about rejoining the party ahead of the next election, it was claimed today.

Ukip's only MP sensationally defected to the Eurosceptic party in 2014 but has since had a bitter falling out with the party's former leader Nigel Farage.

Mr Farage has called for Mr Carswell to be kicked out of Ukip amid a furious row over claims the MP blocked a bid for the Brexit champion to get a knighthood.

He tried to play down his own ambitions today, telling the BBC Today programme he did not want a peerage and would need to think about other honours.

Ukip MP Douglas Carswell, pictured in the City yesterday, has held secret talks with the Tories about rejoining the party ahead of the next election, it was claimed today

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage, seen yesterday in Westminster, has demanded the party kick out its only MP

Mr Carswell said last week he would feel 'honour bound' to resign and trigger a new by-election if he switched parties again but the Telegraph said he was considering a flip ahead of the general election when all seats are up for grabs.

Senior Government sources told the paper: 'We talked about him coming back to rejoin the Conservatives at the next general election.

'Douglas has been voting with the Tories anyway and will continue to do so, he's the only Ukip MP in the House but he's basically counted as another Tory already.'

A number of other Conservative MPs have reportedly had discussions with the Ukip MP about a possible return.

Asked about the rumours, Mr Carswell insisted: 'I am 100 per cent Ukip and will be staying with Ukip.

'But this is the first Brexit government in my lifetime and I am happy to help them get a good Brexit.'

Yesterday, former Ukip leader Mr Farage urged colleagues to expel the Clacton MP after an extraordinary day of public backbiting in the party.

Amid reports that Mr Carswell was in talks with the Tories about switching back, Mr Farage said: 'Did he ever leave the Conservatives? He was certainly representing them during the referendum campaign.'

Mr Farage said the MP had to go because 'I don't want my successor to have to put up with the same sabotage and division that I did'.

Mr Farage tried to play down his own ambitions today, insisting he would refuse a peerage and was not demanding a knighthood

Mr Carswell said he had an 'amicable' meeting on Tuesday with party chairman Paul Oakden and was happy to continue to represent Ukip in the Commons.

He said: 'Contrary to a lot of speculation, we had a very polite and amicable meeting.

'I think he has done a wonderful job as party chairman.'

As the party descended into fresh chaos after Mr Farage called for the MP to be ousted, leader Paul Nuttall asked Mr Oakden to meet Mr Carswell for talks.

Mr Farage unleashed his attacks on Mr Carswell as the row heated up over claims that the MP played a role in blocking a knighthood for the former leader.

Former Ukip donor and Farage ally Arron Banks has vowed to try and win Mr Carswell's seat from him at the next election (file picture)

Leaked emails show Mr Carswell joked that Mr Farage should be given an OBE 'for services to headline writers'.

The MP, who defected from the Conservatives in 2014, responded with a provocative late-night tweet saying 'Knight night'.

This prompted millionaire Ukip funder Arron Banks to declare he is ready to stand against Mr Carswell in the 2020 general election.

Mr Farage said the comments should not be taken 'too seriously'.

However, a later tweet suggested Mr Banks was taking his challenge to Mr Carswell seriously and making practical arrangements to prepare an election campaign.

'We will have a high street shop in Clacton, professional agent appointed soon and I will be rolling my sleeves up,' said Mr Banks.