Billericay MP Teresa Gorman has hit out at "gossip and tittle-tattle" naming her as a possible defector from the Conservative Party.

She firmly rejected speculation she was set to join the anti-European UK Independence Party.

Media reports yesterday claimed the right-wing MP was set to jump ship in the light of her failed bid for London Mayor and her recent decision to retire at the next General Election.

But she said she had no intention of leaving, describing reports as "gossip and tittle-tattle".

She said: "I have no plans to apply for membership of the UKIP. The Conservative Party under William Hague's leadership has come a very long way towards the position that I have always adopted, which is that we do not need the Europeans to run our country for us.

"I am pleased by the way things are going, I think rank and file Conservatives are on our side on the issue, and what would be the point?"

UKIP chairman Nigel Farage said discussions with a number of Conservative MPs, including Mrs Gorman, had taken place. He declined to reveal the nature of the talks.

UKIP won three seats at the European Parliament elections in June - including one in the Eastern region, which includes Essex.

The party has promised to fight more than 400 seats at the next General Election, although electoral analysts believe it stands little chance of winning any.

Malcolm Buckley, chairman of the Billericay Conservative Association, said he was confident Mrs Gorman would not be leaving. He said: "I have spoken to Teresa and she has issued a complete denial that she is planning to leave.

"I was very surprised by the speculation. There is no incentive for her to change. The party has moved to her position on Europe.

"She has far more chance of getting her views adopted with us than with a minority party such as UKIP.

"Teresa did have discussions with UKIP prior to the last General Election, but it was not with a view to switching parties.

"What it did succeed in doing, was making sure there was not a UKIP or Referendum Party candidate opposing her in Billericay.

"This story is based on rumour and that doesn't do anyone any good. Teresa is one of the best known back-benchers and is ripe for this sort of speculation."

Picture, top: Teresa Gorman - no plans to join anti-Europe party

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.