THE Conservatives have confirmed Chris Davies as their candidate for the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election called by his dismissal.

Mr Davies lost the seat he has held, since 2015, when 10,005 people signed a recall petition that was opened after the Conservative MP admitted two offences under the Parliamentary Standards Act related to false expenses.

He had been entitled to claim the £700 cost of photographs for his constituency office but not create two fake invoices, to split the cost between two expenses accounts, instead of the genuine invoice.

He was fined £1,500 and told to carry out 50 hours unpaid work, over the next 12 months, when he was sentenced at London’s Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Davies said he was grateful to be given a second chance by the Brecon and Radnorshire Conservative Association when it met in Talgarth on Sunday night.

He said: "I would like to thank members of my local association for supporting me, and putting their faith in me once again.

“I look forward to campaigning over the next few weeks and winning back this seat, so that I can continue to work hard for the people of Brecon and Radnorshire.”

He added: “A lot has been achieved over the past four years, but there is so much more to do, and I am the right person to do it."

Mr Davies has said he made a mistake and apologised.

Chairman of Brecon and Radnorshire Conservatives, Peter Weavers, said: “We have had so many residents getting in touch to let us know how Chris and his team have helped their families.

“Chris is local; he knows the area, he knows the constituents, knows the issues and problems we face – and that matters. Chris is not simply a one issue wannabe politician, as his record shows. He has our full backing.”

The only other declared candidates, so far, are Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds and Labour’s Brecon Town Councillor Tom Davies.

Mr Davies snatched the Brecon and Radnorshire seat at the 2015 general election from the Lib Dems, who had held it since 1997, and increased his majority to 8,038 at the 2017 snap election.

The contest will be in the national spotlight due to the Conservatives slim majority in Westminster and their working majority could be cut to three if they lose Brecon and Radnorshire.

The by-election is also taking place the same time as the Conservative leadership election between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt.

It is thought a writ, the process to start the by-election, could be moved in Parliament today meaning the election will need to be held in 21 or 27 days time.