Tory cleared of bending rules to beat Farage

A Tory MP has been cleared of breaching campaign spending limits to beat then Ukip leader Nigel Farage at the 2015 general election. Craig Mackinlay, 52, secured a majority of just over 2,800 in south Thanet, Kent, beating Farage and gaining 38% of the vote following a tense campaign. Ukip’s support was on the rise prior to the EU referendum and the Tory party put extra resources into the campaign to win the Kent seat. Internal polling by the Conservatives…