Nigel Farage has said he would stand for parliament again if there were a re-run of the South Thanet election, going back on a previous pledge to retire from frontline politics.
Police are investigating whether the Conservatives broke spending rules in the Kent seat at the last general election, when the party successfully fought off a challenge by Farage. The probe could lead to the result being declared void.
The outgoing Ukip leader was furious with the Tories after Theresa May rejected his offer to help the UK build a better relationship with the US president-elect, Donald Trump, and he told the Mail on Sunday the Tories had “cheated” in South Thanet.
He added: “I suspect one of the reasons Downing Street is being so vile about me – just when I can play a positive role with Trump – is because they are worried this may come back to bite them.”
When asked if he would stand if there were a rerun, Farage answered: “I’d have to.”
He also raised the prospect of Trump coming over to boost his election campaign, claiming South Thanet had the “best golf courses in Britain”.
During the US election campaign, Farage expressed support for Trump, spoke at one of his rallies and attended a series of television debates.
The former commodities trader was the first foreign politician to meet Trump after last week’s US election, but last week No 10 made it clear that there was no need for a “third person” in the relationship between Downing Street and the White House.
Farage resigned as Ukip leader in July, saying he had fulfilled his political ambitions after successfully campaigning for the UK to vote for Brexit. He said at the time that running to become an MP was no longer top of his to-do list, after seven unsuccessful attempts.
But since quitting he has rarely been out of the limelight. His meeting with Trump embarrassed the government and, during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, May stoked speculation that he could get a peerage for his role in the successful campaign for Britain to leave the EU.
Meanwhile it has been reported that Trump, who is said to have professed enthusiasm for the Queen during his first conversation with May after winning the US election, is to be invited to visit the monarch as part of the UK government’s charm offensive to win him over – without the help of Farage.
The Sunday Times reported that a source said he would be invited for an early visit with his wife Melania to stay at Windsor Castle.
It quoted a cabinet source as saying Britain’s longest reigning monarch “is the biggest public weapon you have. Nigel Farage can’t get [Trump] in front of the Queen.”
When speaking to May, Trump is said to have disclosed that he was a big fan of the Queen and asked for his regards to be passed on to her.
