DOUGLAS Carswell infiltrated Ukip in a plot to ‘neutralise’ the ‘toxic’ leadership of Nigel Farage according to a former Gazette journalist.

Author Owen Bennett makes the sensational claim in a book “The Brexit Club” which promises “the inside story of the Leave campaign’s shock victory.”

The Clacton MP defected from the Conservatives in August 2014, reportedly unhappy with David Cameron’s modest EU renegotiation goals.

But the book claims an ulterior motive, that of solving the “Farage paradox” – which claims as support for UKIP increases, support for leaving the EU fell.

Mr Carwell said: “Angry, nativist Ukip risked being so toxic that if it ran the referendum it would do to the Eurosceptic cause what kryptonite did to Superman. That could not be allowed to happen.

The book said Mr Carswell conspired with Tory MEP Dan Hannan, with the pair having secret meetings in the Tate Britain art gallery in London.

The Conservative, with whom the Clacton MP once co-authored a book, said of his co-conspirator: “Douglas felt he could hold his seat under pretty much any colours and prevent Ukip losing us the referendum with a negative campaign.”

Mr Bennett first knew Mr Carswell from his time at the Gazette during 2011-12 when the MP was a Conservative. He became an expert on UKIP, and last year wrote “Following Farage”, based on touring the country with the former Ukip leader.

The former reporter for the Daily Express and Daily Mail, who now writes for the Huffington Post, stands by his findings.

“He (Mr Carswell) admits it in the book. Dan Hannan admits it’s a plot to solve the Farage Paradox,” said the 31-year-old.

“They felt like the job had been done. They felt they have been vindicated because Nigel Farage was not part of the official group Vote leave.”

The book is based on interviews with Mr Carswell, Mr Farage, Mr Hannon and other top Vote Leave campaigners.

“I had access to all the top players,” Mr Bennett added.

Douglas Carswell said this week he hadn’t read the book but said it was “no secret I knew we could not win the referendum if it was run by Nigel the way he ran Thanet South.”

“We won the referendum by campaigning on a cross-party basis and with an optimistic message.”

The Clacton MP recalled he was elected not once for UKIP in Clacton but twice, contrasting that with Nigel Farage failing to take Thanet South.

And despite the book’s claims, Mr Carswell said he was “very much” loyal to Ukip.

“I’m 100 per cent Ukip and 100 per cent Clacton,” the MP added.