Reform UK councillors “will be stepping away” from their responsibilities in Gloucestershire to “camp out” some 180 miles away in Clacton-on-Sea to help Nigel Farage win the by-election he has triggered councillors have claimed.

The MP resigned earlier this week claiming parliamentary standards investigations into undisclosed donations are “being used as a political tool”.

He says he has done “nothing wrong” and has decided voters should be the judges of his action.

Reform UK Gloucestershire say they completely back their leader and “every single councillor wants to go down there at least once or twice to show their support”.

Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems, the Green Party and Restore Britain have all ruled out standing in the by-election.

And the intention of Reform councillors to spend time in Clacton has been criticised by other groups at Gloucestershire County Council.

Conservative group leader Stephen Davies said: “Sadly we can now see Reform is not about delivering services or making a difference to local people, it is about saving Nigel Farage from explaining away a £5m donation.

“Conservatives will not be campaigning in Clacton, they will be working for local residents.”

And Shire Hall’s Liberal Democrat leader Lisa Spivey said councillors are elected to represent and work for the people of Gloucestershire.

“That responsibility must always come first,” she said.

“I am deeply concerned that Gloucestershire Reform councillors have indicated they will be stepping away from their duties here to focus their time and attention on Clacton-on-Sea.

“It’s incredibly disappointing that Gloucestershire Reform councillors are spending their time on this rather than concentrating on the challenges facing local communities and the people they were elected to serve.”

The Greens in Gloucestershire see the resignation and by-election as a “shameful waste of £275,000 of public money”.

Group leader Beki Hoyland: “Our councillors will not be rushing off to Clacton to camp out for a media circus.

“We are staying right here in Gloucestershire, doing the job we were actually elected to do: working hard for local residents.”

While fellow Green councillor Gary Luff said it is telling the county’s Reform UK group is “running off to defend their leader, in Reform’s safest seat, against a man dressed as a bin is more important than doing the work their residents elected them to do”.

Meanwhile, Independent councillor Alastair Chambers will be going to Clacton to support comedian Count Binface, who says he will stand in the by-election.

“Democracy is about giving people a choice, and we’re looking forward to helping bring some humour, energy and enthusiasm to the campaign trail,” he said.

Councillor Vernon Smith, Leader of Reform UK Gloucestershire, said the by-election is a “massive opportunity” for their movement.

“We in Gloucestershire are energised, unified, and we cannot wait to get down to Clacton to camp out and campaign to secure a historic victory,” he said.

“This by-election is no longer just about one parliamentary seat; it is a referendum on the future of democratic fairness in the United Kingdom.

“Reform UK Gloucestershire is mobilising immediately to support the campaign on the ground in Clacton, turning this establishment-driven pile-on into a positive catalyst for the ongoing political revolution.”