MP Charlie Elphicke has been given back his Conservative Whip ahead of tonight's vote of confidence.

The Deal and Dover representative who has been suspended from the party for more than a year over sexual offence allegations, announced the news this afternoon.

Without the whip, the politician would not have been entitled to vote.

He tweeted at about 4.15pm today: "Important for my constituents to know that, 13 months after having it withdrawn, I have been given back the Conservative Whip. I remain as confident as I always have been of clearing my name and will continue to work as hard for Dover & Deal as I always have done."

His office say he will not be commenting further and is remaining tip-lipped about how he will vote tonight.

The MP who has always denied any wrongdoing was suspended from the Conservative Party whip on November 3, 2017.

He has never been arrested, charged or prosecuted, for any offence.

His nightmare began when he received a call from a journalist who said he had heard he was having the whip withdrawn.

Minutes later, he received a call from the chief whip telling him "serious allegations" had been made against him earlier that week which had been passed to the police.

Mr Elphicke asked what the allegations were but he wasn’t told. He proceeded to post a tweet at 10.37pm that evening denying any wrongdoing and that he was unaware of the claims being made against him.

On the year anniversary of his suspension, he told KentOnline: "This situation is completely unacceptable."

He has continued receive support from the Dover and Deal Conservative Association.

Last month, chairman Keith Single said: "Charlie continues to have our full support.”