TORY defector Douglas Carswell has hit back at former Conservative MP Matthew Parris after he made insulting comments about Clacton residents.

The Times columnist visited Clacton and said Conservatives should “turn their backs” on the town following the apparent surge in support for UKIP.

Mr Parris referred to residents’ lack of qualifications, the large number of tattoo palours and low house prices – and said the Tory party should not care about voters’ opinions.

But Mr Carswell has hit back at the scathing comments.

Read the full story in the Clacton Gazette, out now.