WITHAM’S re-elected MP has insisted her focus is on the town, despite rumours she could be a candidate to lead the Conservative Party.

Speaking on ITV’s Peston on Sunday, International Development Secretary Priti Patel, MP for Witham, did not rule herself of the running when asked by host Robert Peston, but told The Times she was focused on fighting for Witham.

Ms Patel said: “I am proud to have been re-elected to represent Witham and my focus is on supporting families, businesses and community groups across the constituency and bringing in new investment for infrastructure and public services to this part of Essex.

“I have already secured new investment for our local A and E services at Broomfield and am continuing to work with schools to raise standards, with the biggest ever Get Witham Reading day taking place this Friday.”

During her Sunday morning TV appearance, Ms Patel shocked the host by claiming that she did not believe calling the snap general election had been a mistake.

Prime Minister Theresa May took a gamble on calling the election, losing 12 seats and her party’s majority in the process. Her position is now in question, leading to early speculation as to who could take over within the Conservative party.

Ms Patel said: “The Prime Minister was right to call a General Election for the reasons she outlined at the time of the decision.

“The Conservatives fought a positive campaign and secured more votes than any party at an election since 1992 and the highest share of the vote by a party since 1997.”

On the ITV programme Ms Patel, described as a “Brexit loving minister” by Mr Peston, spoke on the importance of pressing forward with negotiations to leave the European Union.

She told Peston on Sunday the election was “absolutely not” a mistake because of the upcoming EU negotiations.

Speaking on the programme, she said: “I don’t think it was because we are now in the position where we are leaving the EU and beginning that negotiation process, which of course started last week.

“The point to make here is that we have been clear from day one in terms of the negotiating objectives, which the Prime Minister outlined prior to the general election and of course nothing has changed in term of those objectives going forward.”