A pro-Brexit minister hit the campaign trail in east London today to help an ousted Tory MP “get his job back”.

Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel visited Redbridge (April 28) in support of her former Conservative Commons colleague Lee Scott.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Lee Scott and his wife with Priti Patel in Gants Hill

Mr Scott is hoping to take back Ilford North in the upcoming General Election, after he lost the seat to Labour’s Wes Streeting in 2015.

Ms Patel, who was a prominent figure in the Vote Leave campaign, told the Guardian: “At the start of this election campaign I wanted to be here to support Lee.

“He’s a great friend, was a fantastic colleague in the House of Commons, and a strong voice for Ilford North.

“We need to get him re-elected to be an even stronger voice, not just for people here, but to support everything we are doing in Government nationally.”

She also said marginal seats like Ilford North were key to “securing our country’s future” after the UK’s vote to leave the European Union.

She said: “Every vote for Lee is a vote to secure our country’s future.

“A marginal seat like this are fought hard for in any election campaign, but we won’t take our eye of the ball.

“A vote for Lee will strengthen Theresa May’s hand in her Brexit negotiations, on our economy, and our defence strategy.

“A Labour vote can’t do any of that – they’re too busy fighting among themselves.

“Here in Ilford North you’ve got a Labour candidate who’s against his leader, but if you vote for him, you are voting for Jeremy Corbyn, let's be clear about that."

Before heading out campaigning in Barkingside Mr Scott said he has “never had as much support” in his entire political career.

He said: “There’s a real hunger to win this seat back and that’s what we’re going to do.”

On UKIP’s announcement they will not be fielding a candidate and backing Mr Scott instead, he said: “Nobody can predict where those 4,335 UKIP votes came from in 2015.

“But even before they announced it, people on the doorstep who voted for them last time said they’d be voting for me this time.

“I’m hopeful I can convince the rest of them, because I want my job back.”

Ms Patel agreed, saying: “A year ago UKIP were campaigning to leave the EU and now we are leaving - and that is absolutely and unequivocally the Government’s position.

“So I think the choice for everyone is clear."