A UKIP politician expected to stand against Tory minister Brandon Lewis in May’s general election was instead put on trial yesterday accused of electoral fraud.

Norfolk County Councillor Matthew Smith, 26, is one of three men in court over the claims relating to last year’s local elections.

All of them deny charges that relate to several counts of making a false statement on nomination papers.

Mr Smith — one of dozens of Ukip members embroiled in scandals that have dogged the racist party— had his membership suspended and withdrew as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Great Yarmouth seat when the allegations came to light.

The other defendants are Michael Monk of Hopton and Daniel Thistlethwaite of Belton.

The trial is expected to last for four weeks.