Former BBC news anchor Gavin Esler has announced he will be standing at next month's European Parliamentary elections.

The current chancellor of the University of Kent is to run as a Change UK candidate campaigning for another referendum on Brexit.

Having been a journalist at the BBC for 40 years, Glasgow-born Mr Esler has not stood at an election before.

Speaking at the launch of the party's campaign in Bristol, Mr Esler labelled the country's political make-up a "worldwide joke".

"I have never been a member of a political party but I am now," he said.

"I have never been a candidate in an election but I am now.

"I have never been seriously worried about the future of our country but I am now.

"Our political system is a joke - it's a worldwide joke, they are laughing at us - not with us, at us.”

"I have joined this remain alliance for three reasons: to stop Brexit, fix Britain, and move on to reform the EU.

"The first step is to stop Brexit. We need a People's Vote now."

Mr Esler, who will stand in London, became chancellor of the University of Kent in 2014.

He graduated from the university with a BA in English and American Literature in 1974, and is best known as the main presenter of Newsnight for 11 years.

Change UK came into existence following the creation of the The Independent Group, which was formed after 11 MPs left their parties in February.

It will be a rival to Nigel Farage's newly-formed Brexit Party.

For all the latest Brexit news, views and analysis for Kent, visit our dedicated page here.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury