Kemi Badenoch has vowed to put forward a "serious candidate" in Clacton should a parliamentary standards investigation lead to a second by-election in the Essex constituency.

This declaration comes as voters in Clacton are set to go to the polls next Thursday, August 13, following Nigel Farage's decision to step down as an MP, which triggered the current contest.

The Reform UK leader is seeking re-election and is one of 34 individuals listed on the extensive 3ft-long ballot paper.

However, the UK's largest parties – Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats – are notably absent from the race, having dismissed the by-election as a "stunt."

In a letter “to the people of Clacton” on Thursday, Conservative Party leader Mrs Badenoch wrote: “Nigel Farage has called this by-election not to help you but to help himself.”

Mr Farage is being investigated by the parliamentary standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg over a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, which he received before taking his seat in the Commons.

The investigation, looking at whether he should have declared the money when he arrived in Parliament, was suspended on his resignation, but is likely to resume if he wins the by-election.

If he is found to have broken the rules and a suspension of more than 10 days is imposed, it could trigger a recall petition and the prospect of Mr Farage losing his seat, forcing a second contest.

Mr Farage previously said he has “not broken the law in any way at all” and warned the standards probe was “now being used as a political tool”.

Mrs Badenoch wrote: “Mr Farage wants the people of Clacton to settle his problems for him.

“He wants to point to you and say, ‘even after the £5 million scandal, Clacton still chose me.'”

She added that “the people of Clacton are entitled to ask why someone would donate Nigel Farage that kind of money”.

Mr Farage earlier this year told reporters that the money was for his security, given to him “with the knowledge that the state in this country have never, ever wanted to help” him.

Mrs Badenoch, who is an MP in Essex herself, continued: “When the proper process has run its course and there is a genuine contest, we will be there.

“I will put forward a serious candidate who understands that representing Clacton is a job, someone who turns up, listens, holds meetings and works for the people who live here.”

The North West Essex MP said: “When the real choice comes, the Conservatives will be there and I hope we can earn your support.”

Who is running in the Clacton by-election?

Mr Farage’s opponents in Clacton include Count Binface, actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, and three candidates from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party – Nick The Incredible Flying Brick, its leader Alan “Howling Laud” Hope and Baron Von Thunderclap.

– Joseph 77 (Independent)

– Adham Alkhatip (The Forward Party)

– Count Binface (Count Binface Party)

– Nick The Incredible Flying Brick (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

– Tony Cane (Independent)

– Woke Trump Carrzee (Independent)

– William Stuart James Clouston (Social Democratic Party)

– Rees Cowne (Independent)

– Glenn Charles Cummings (Independent)

– Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance – Real People, Real Alternative!)

– Andy Erlam (Independent)

– Nigel Farage (Reform UK)

– Attieh Fard (Independent)

– Laurence Fox (The Reclaim Party)

– Tony Francis (Independent)

– Robin Green (Independent)

– Abi Hookway (Independent)

– Howling Laud Hope (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

– Stephen Richard Ingram (Independent)

– Amy Morris (Independent)

– Derrick Norbert Morris (Independent)

– Michael Noel O’Keeffe (Independent)

– Martyn OBrien (Independent)

– Nick Pelas (Independent)

– Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK VOICE safer and stronger UK)

– Daniel Pocock (Independent)

– James Ransley (Consensus Party Candidate)

– Gerry Smith (Independent)

– Kai Stephens (British Democrats)

– John Stevens (Rejoin EU)

– Baron Von Thunderclap (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

– Pamela Walford (Independent)

– Marcus White (Everyone is God Party)

– Marc Wilkinson (Independent)