Former Liberal Democrat candidate for Brent Central Ibrahim Taguri has revealed today he will not be standing as an independent in the General Election.

Mr Taguri told the Times he has stepped out of the battle for the hotly contested seat but declined to say anything more.

Earlier this month he quit the Lib Dems and vowed to stand as an independent following claims he told an undercover reporter posing as a wealthy Indian businessman he could channel donations via family members and backdate cheques to avoid appearing on public registers.

There is a ban on donations from non-UK citizens.

The matter is being investigated by the Electoral Commission.

The 36-year-old, who grew up in Willesden, has denied any wrongdoing and said he was “confident that I will be exonerated of all the claims made against me”.

Last week, the Lib Dems named their new candidate as Lauren Keith, a campaigner from Willesden.

She will battle it out against Dawn Butler (Labour), Alan Mendoza (Conservative), Shahrar Ali (Green), John Boyle (TUSC), Kamran Malik (Communities United) and Stephen Priestley (UKIP).