Cleared MP Craig Mackinlay says he endured "three years of pure hell" before his acquittal on election fraud charges today.

The South Thanet Conservative claims he was pursued in a "political show trial", costing tax payers millions of pounds.

He was speaking after being found not guilty of two charges of knowlingly making a false expenses declaration under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Craig Mackinlay speaks outside Southwark Crown Court

The charges followed investigations by the broadcaster Channel 4 into the Conservative party’s election expenses during 2015 and claims the party had breached permitted legal limits on campaign spending by failing to properly report them as local election expenditure.

During the trial, Mr Mackinlay had repeatedly denied that he had signed off expenses claims knowing they were wrong.

The MP was charged in June 2017.

Speaking following his acquittal, he said: "I have endured close to three years of pure hell since allegations were raised by media agencies, and Channel 4 particularly, in February 2016.

"I await a statement from the Electoral Commission, the CPS and Kent Police as to how they justify millions of pounds of taxpayers money in pursuing me in a political show trial.

"Undoubtedly Freedom of Information requests will show, in time, the true cost to the taxpayer."

Mr Mackinlay says election law "needs urgent clarification" following the "lengthy" trial.

He added: "I now have extreme concerns as to the clarity of election law, and the glaring grey area between national spending rules (under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000) and local spending rules (under the Representation of the People Act 1983).

"Candidates and agents should never have to face the threat of criminal prosecution, with life-changing consequences, in the face of abstract law.

"The legal position had gone through various tests through the courts prior to trial.

"The Court of Appeal in front of the Lord Chief Justice in March 2018 concluded that election expenses can only be so if authorised by a candidate or agent.

"The Crown Prosecution Service progressed this point to the Supreme Court in July 2018, who ruled that election expenses should be so, if ‘used’ during the election, even if not authorised.

"After this trial, election law needs urgent clarification, but I have concerns whether the Electoral Commission as currently constructed is at all fit for purpose to assist in this task."

He has thanked his wife, family and friends for their support.

Mr Mackinlay said: "My legal team told my accurate story to the Southwark jury who came to the correct conclusions

"But my most sincere thanks go to my constituents of South Thanet, who were informed of my charge for election offences just six days before the 2017 General Election. "They supported me with 25,262 votes and 50.8% of the vote: the highest number of votes for a Conservative in the history of the South Thanet seat.

"This lengthy trial has kept me away from serving them as fully as I’d like both in Parliament and in the constituency.

"I now intend to put that right over the months and years ahead."