THE Green Party has hotly denied claims in the Sunday Times that it would stand aside in Rory Stewart’s constituency to give the expelled Tory MP a better chance of keeping his seat at the next election.

A Green spokesperson said: “The report in the Sunday Times suggesting the Green Party might stand down for Rory Stewart in the constituency of Penrith and the Border is completely incorrect and unfounded.

“We are not in any talks with expelled Tories and we will not be considering this.”

And a local Green spokesperson said the party was currently advertising for potential candidates and has “every intention of standing.”

The Murdoch rag also claimed that the Liberal Democrats would withdraw their candidate from challenging Mr Stewart, an allegation that the Lib Dems did not rule out when contacted by the Morning Star, saying that the party had many cross-party talks ongoing.

Although Mr Stewart supports leaving the EU with a deal, the Sunday Times reported that Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson is prepared to consider pacts with candidates who oppose no-deal rather than just those who are explicitly anti-Brexit.

At least three other expelled Tory rebels — Sam Gyimah, Margot James and Dominic Grieve — have had similar talks with the Lib Dems about a “loose Remain alliance,” according to the report.

The talks were triggered after Prime Minister Boris Johnson expelled 21 Tory MPs last week for backing anti-no-deal legislation.

‘Establishment are terrified’

Reacting to the news of a possible Lib Dem pact with ex-Tories, Labour MP for Easington Grahame Morris told the Morning Star: “This is an unusual election and all sorts of pacts will be planned in order to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of No 10.”

Mr Morris, who supports leaving the EU with a deal, added: “The Establishment are terrified of having a Labour government that would work for the many with a radical left-wing agenda that is very popular and that would rebalance the economy.

“For new groupings of liberals, former Labour MPs and various other individuals, this agenda is a complete anathema and they will do anything to prevent it.”

Labour’s position on Brexit is being “grievously misrepresented” and MPs engaged in pact talks want to take advantage, Mr Morris said.

He continued: “We represent Leave and Remain, and we are seeking to get a deal that would be in the interests of the people.

“The only person that would benefit from these rumoured pacts is Boris Johnson and his right-wing government that will wreak havoc on this country.”