Mark Reckless made a somewhat surprising start to his life as a Ukip MP yesterday.

Rochester’s new — and at the same time old — right-wing representative was forced to keep the champagne on ice and race straight to Parliament after beating his old Tory pals in Thursday’s by-election.

He was sworn in at breakneck speed by fellow defector Douglas Carswell and the next Tory on Farage’s list, Philip Hollobone.