Rumours that UKIP are not standing in one of the most marginal seats in London is sending shockwaves around the campaign trail.

National newspapers reported on social media last night (April 27) that UKIP are not putting forward a candidate in Ilford North to make sure a pro-Brexit party scoop the seat.

They also claim the anti-Europe party are not fielding candidates in Leyton & Wanstead or Chingford & Woodford Green.

Labour’s Wes Streeting (43.9 per cent) beat his Conservative predecessor Lee Scott (42.7 per cent) by just 589 votes in 2015, while UKIP candidate Philip Hyde got 8.9 per cent of the vote with 4,355.

By not putting anyone forward UKIP is hopeful people who voted for them last time will back Theresa May’s “hard” Brexit and stop Mr Streeting reclaiming his seat.

But reacting to the news he said: “UKIP’s endorsement is not one I would welcome, given their track record of insulting our community and their politics of division.

“I’m proud of the diversity of Ilford North and of my track record of representing people of all races, faiths and backgrounds with equal care and consideration.

“Unless the Conservatives distance themselves from this endorsement it will be very clear that on June 8 a vote for the Conservatives in Ilford North is a vote for the ugly politics of Bluekip.”

His Conservative rival Lee Scott, who is hoping to reclaim the seat he lost in 2015, said he is “pleased” about the news.

He said: “I have no control about who stands and who doesn’t.

“But if they’re not standing I’m obviously pleased.

“It’s not hard to work out the maths. I won by 5,000 votes in 2010 and then I lost by 589 in 2015, while UKIP got over 4,000.

“So I think it’s fair to say if UKIP hadn't have stood in 2015, Wes Streeting would not be our MP.”

In Leyton & Wanstead UKIP is hopeful Brexit-backing John Cryer will regain his seat and pro-leave MP Iain Duncan Smith will be re-elected in Chingford & Woodford Green.

Ilford’s UKIP chairman told the Guardian he could not confirm the rumours.

He said: “I can’t confirm anything at the present time.

“There have been country-wide UKIP hustings taking place this week.

“At the moment we’re going through a final approval process, which we hope to have finished and have candidates confirmed today or tomorrow.”