A former Ukip MEP and Kent parliamentary candidate will face no further action from police over false expenses claims.

Janice Atkinson was booted out of Ukip over the allegations following an event at a pub during the party's conference in Margate last February.

Mrs Atkinson was investigated by Kent Police and today said she was "delighted" no further action is being taken against her.

But police are continuing to carry out investigations into the overall allegation.

The claims, first published in The Sun newspaper, were around allegations surrounding the cost of an event at The Hoy in Margate which Mrs Atkinson says was sponsored to encourage more women into politics as part of her campaign for the UK to exit the European Union.

The allegations also included a film of a member of Mrs Atkinson's team supposedly asking for an invoice for the £3,150 bill the next day.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Following an allegation of fraud a woman who was interviewed has been informed that there will be no further action against her. Inquiries in the allegation continue."

Mrs Atkinson was immediately suspended from the party and dropped as Ukip's candidate to become MP for Folkestone and Hythe in last May's general election.

A party disciplinary hearing in March then saw her completely expelled from Ukip.

She now stands as an independent in the European parliament.

Mrs Atkinson admits she has "made mistakes and apologised for them" and reflected on "a truly terrible time".

She said: "I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my family, friends and the colleagues who believed in me.

"It has been a truly terrible time and I have learnt a major lesson about the value of integrity in my working relationships.

"Supporters from across the political spectrum, and from many nation states, have said to me: 'There but for the grace of God go all of us', and they're right.

"As soon as you take on a public position you become vulnerable.

"Like others, I have made mistakes and apologised for them but I will always continue to fight for the issues that affect my constituents."