Bromley and Chislehurst's Brexit Party candidate has stood down after Nigel Farage announced they would not contest Conservative seats in next month's election.

Oliver Mather, formerly a life-long Conservative voter, said he is "supportive of the decision" which puts "country before party to guard against the possibility of a hung Parliament."

Bromley and Chislehurst has been held by Bob Neil since 2006 and was retained in 2017 with a majority of 9,590.

Mr Mather, 32, said: "I'm supportive of the decision - at the moment a tough call was required, the Brexit Party has put country before party (as it has always maintained it would) to guard against the possibility of a hung parliament or worse.

"I'm proud to have stood for the Brexit Party. It's a broad church united in giving a voice to those who want 2016's referendum to be respected, and in delivering a better, stronger country, with a set of common-sense policies.

"I've really enjoyed speaking with and listening to the constituents of Bromley & Chislehurst.

"Those I've spoken to have been overwhelmingly pleasant - even when they've disagreed.

"What has been made very clear to me is that a significant majority of constituents want Brexit to be delivered - they reject the chaos offered by Labour, or the antidemocratic stance taken by the Lib Dems.

"On a personal level, I'm sorry not to be standing. It would have been my honour and privilege to have represented the constituency. Should the stars align to offer that chance again, I'll take it.

"I hope that Bob Neill - if local voters again place their trust in him - will vote in a manner that respects and delivers 2016's referendum (this has not always been the case), so the political focus can shift onto other issues, where it is much needed."

The Brexit Party leader said he had taken the "difficult decision" not to contest the 317 seats held by the Tories at the last election amid fears it could lead to a hung parliament and a second referendum.

The announcement was welcomed by the Prime Minister who said it was recognition that only the Conservatives could "get Brexit done".

However, opposition parties said it showed the Tories and the Brexit Party were now "one and the same".

Mr Mather previously described Boris Johnson's new Brexit deal as "an awful treaty" which "simply does not respect 2016’s referendum".