Former war reporter Martin Bell will stand as an Independent candidate in Brentwood and Ongar at the next General Election.

But sitting Tory MP Eric Pickles revealed he had held talks with Mr Bell - and remained confident of beating him.

Mr Pickles spoke out after it was revealed Mr Bell would be announcing his decision to stand for the Essex seat at a press conference on Friday.

The confirmation comes after months of speculation that Mr Bell, 62, was looking to continue his career in politics away from his current constituency in Tatton, Cheshire.

Mr Pickles, who has a majority of nearly 10,000, said: "We have had some discussions and I came away from those very reassured of my chances of winning the election."

Mr Pickles holds the 42nd safest Tory seat in the country. He will have also heard Mr Bell is determined to run a "positive" campaign, avoiding church issues.

Independent Conservatives in Brentwood approached Mr Bell this summer, following allegations that a local church - the Peniel Pentecostal - had been infiltrating the local Conservative Association.

A Conservative Central Office investigation found no proof of malpractice and Mr Pickles has dismissed suggestions the association is unduly dominated by the church.

Mr Pickles said: "I am very confident of victory. I have been a good community MP and if he wants to stand, that is his decision.

"I will be standing on my record as someone who has always put the interests of Brentwood before his party.

"If he wants to side with a small number of former Conservatives that is a matter for him. We have a clean bill of health from Central Office.

"Anyone who knows me will tell you I am not influenced by anyone, except the people of Brentwood."

Many believe Brentwood would prove a much tougher challenge to Mr Bell than Tatton, which he took from disgraced Tory Neil Hamilton.

Mr Bell promised during the Tatton campaign he would stand down after one term.

He said: "I am not commenting on whether or not I have made a decision yet but I will be holding a press conference on Friday."

No comment - Martin Bell

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