THE Clacton by-election, triggered by Nigel Farage’s decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, will be held on August 13.

The contest is being boycotted by the other main Westminster parties, which view Mr Farage’s actions as a stunt, leaving comedy candidate Count Binface as his highest-profile opponent.

Nominations open from July 14-17, with unregistered residents given until July 28 to apply for a vote.

Mr Farage resigned after questions mounted over a £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire and Reform donor Christopher Harborne.

He sought to bill the vote as a “people versus the Establishment” contest, telling TalkTV: “They have acted in concert with each other as the uniparty. They’re trying to turn it into a joke.”

An investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner into whether Mr Farage failed to declare the gift has been suspended due to his resignation, but will resume if he returns to the Commons.

A finding of wrongdoing with a suspension of more than 10 days could trigger a recall petition and a second by-election.