The Brexit Party candidate who pulled out of the election race for Canterbury says fears that Jeremy Corbyn could become the country's leader were behind his decision not to stand.

Owen Prew, a management consultant from Thanet, unexpectedly withdrew from the election for the marginal seat.

Now he has broken his silence in an open letter in which he says he still wants voters to back the party - even though they cannot do so in Canterbury.

Setting out his reasons, he makes a lengthy attack on the Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader.

“I, like 600 others, had intended to stand to uphold the decision made by 17.4 million people who voted to leave the European Union in 2016," Mr Prew said.

"That decision has still not been implemented and that failure has placed into jeopardy our entire system of government and many ordinary people’s belief in our democracy.

“The effect of the Brexit Party on UK politics has already been seismic and I am proud to have been among its candidates who, contrary to popular belief, are not a group of right wing, neo-nazis but a genuinely diverse bunch of largely ordinary, decent people who believe in our country, its history and the importance of our democratic system.

“But the reason I am not standing is that I believe Jeremy Corbyn and what is left of the once great Labour Party now pose a clear and present danger to this country.”

He says the brand of left-wing extremism being peddled by Jeremy Corbyn was “sheer poison which has been left unchallenged over the past twenty years”.

“Britain stands on the precipice of electing a committed Marxist as its Prime Minister; a man who is willing to abandon any and all of his principles - including a lifelong hatred of the EU - to gain power in this country,” Mr Prew continued.

“My responsibility was clear to me a long time ago: to make sure that Jeremy Corbyn never sets foot inside 10 Downing Street. For me personally that trumps a pure break Brexit and it outweighs my genuine desire to give a voice to the widespread disillusionment that has arisen since 2016.”

While not standing himself, he urges voters to “go out on the streets and campaign in this election” and to vote for the Brexit Party.

His decision to withdraw as a candidate comes as the Brexit Party shows signs of disunity, with other candidates deciding to withdraw and party leader Nigel Farage under pressure over his decision not to field candidates in any of the 317 seats held by the Tories.

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