Douglas Carswell has dismissed as “utterly absurd” and nonsensical” claims that he helped the Tories defeat Nigel Farage in South Thanet.

The allegations come from a company headed by UKIP’s biggest door, Arron Banks, a well-known critic of the Clacton MP.

A company owned by Mr Banks has sent a letter to Kent police claiming Mr Carswell downloaded UKIP data for South Thanet and passed it on to the Conservatives, allowing them to do “push polling” of key voters.

The letter from Precession Intelligence, where Mr Banks is Chief Executive, said Mr Carswell, a former Conservative, had access to the UKIP database but only accessed the South Thanet data.

“We have evidence of excessive spending by the Conservatives and secretive dealings between them and a senior UKIP representative to collude against Mr Farage,” it also said.

Douglas Carswell said he “laughed” when he read about the allegations and he “ignores” Mr Banks.

“There’s no truth in it whatsoever. I’m not sure they (my enemies) can ever forgive me for winning my seat. It’s a complete fantasy,” he also told the Gazette.