Former Conservative party deputy chairman Lee Anderson has held private 'one to one' talks with Richard Tice, the leader of the Reform UK party, fuelling speculation that the MP is about to defect to the rival party.
GB News understands that the pair met for 'in person' talks on Sunday lunchtime at a Holiday Inn hotel, at junction 28 of the M1 in South Normanton, Derbyshire.
Tice was travelling back that morning from the Reform UK conference in Doncaster when he agreed to meet with Anderson at the hotel, which is just 10 miles from Anderson's Ashfield constituency.
The meeting happened 24 hours after Anderson was suspended by Rishi Sunak after refusing to apologise for his claims that “Islamists” have “got control” of Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.
Lee Anderson and Richard Tice met at a Holiday Inn
PA
The Holiday Inn says on its website that it has "everything you need for a relaxing stay" with a "restaurant serves English breakfasts and seasonal British fare, perfect for the leisure or corporate traveller".
The news came as James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, backed Anderson into a corner by saying that the former Tory party deputy chairman had to apologise. Anderson has repeatedly refused to do so.
Anderson declined to comment when approached by GB News.
He said: "I am not talking about my next steps. My focus is on representing the people of Ashfield."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Lee Anderson spoke to Patrick Christys last nightGB NewsMr Tice told GB News that he would not give a "running commentary on which MPs I speak to when or where".
In an interview with GB News on Monday night Anderson declined to say if he were going to join Reform UK.
He said: "I won't give a running commentary. I have been on a political journey and it's been an incredible journey."