I really want this to be a decent and dignified campaign Martin Bell

He continued: "I had hoped mine would be the shortest political campaign in history. But I am going to fight hard."

Mr Bell announced his official candidacy yesterday after the local Labour candidate offered to withdraw from the election and give a free run to an anti-sleaze candidate.

Mr Hamilton has been accused of taking cash in return for asking parliamentary questions and dodging tax and failing to declare a luxury stay at the Paris Ritz.

When Mr Bell arrived in the Cheshire constituency last week he hoped that by merely suggesting he might stand, the local Tories would decide to throw out their MP and look for a new candidate.

Instead Mr Hamilton has vowed to fight on, with the support of local Tories who voted by 182 to 100 in favour of him standing, and Mr Bell is committed to stay the course.

Earlier today he paid his first official visit to the constituency as its independent candidate.

He was ambushed by Mr Hamilton and his wife, Christine, as newsmen crowded round him on Knutsford Heath.

Mr Bell, flanked by his daughter Melissa and Bosnia war hero Colonel Bob Stewart shook hands with Mr Hamilton.

He said: "I really want this to be a decent and dignified campaign."

Mr Hamilton said he wanted Mr Bell to stand as an independent and not an anti-corruption candidate.

He claims he is innocent of the allegations made against him - although he has admitted accepting hospitality which he had not declared.

The former TV reporter is currently the bookies' favourite to oust Mr Hamilton.

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