Brexit-backing Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry to stand in general election

The former winner of The Apprentice is to stand for Parliament in the 2017 general election.

Michelle Dewberry is running as an independent in the Hull West and Hessle constituency, the former seat of Labour grandee Alan Johnson.

Dewberry, who is from Hull, was chosen as the winner of the 2006 edition of the reality business show by Sir Alan Sugar.

Johnson announced that he would be standing down as MP at the election after almost 20 years of service.

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Dewberry said she was providing an alternative to voters who supported the UK leaving Europe, but did not support other Conservative policies.

"As a Brexiteer, I will give these voters an option of supporting the Tory Brexit, without the compromise of the other policies and to truly stand for Hull and Hessle's needs," she said.

Other declared candidates in Hull West and Hessle include Emma Hardy for Labour, Claire Thomas for the Liberal Democrats and Gary Shores for Ukip.

Dewberry worked for Sugar for just 11 months before setting off on other business ventures including running her own consultancy firm.

Sir Alan, now Lord Sugar, was a business tsar for the Labour government and became a Labour peer in 2009 until he left the party in 2015.