CLACTON MP Douglas Carswell has picked up a Rebel of the Year award.

The Ukip MP was chosen by the Political Studies Association as this year’s political rebel at its annual awards dinner – dubbed Westminster’s Oscars - on Tuesday night at Church House in Westminster.

Mr Carswell quit the Conservatives in August last year, resigned his seat and won a by-election three months later to become Ukip’s first elected MP.

He retained his seat in May’s general election and has since raised questions about the way in which his new party is run.

Michael Crick, of Channel 4 News, presented the award to Mr Carswell and said the judges commended him on his “independence of mind”.

Mr Carswell said: “I’m flattered and honoured to have been given this award, but I genuinely don’t think I have ever rebelled.

“I have done what local people think I should and what’s best for local people, even if political leaders haven’t appreciated that. I’m just doing my job.

“I might have been seen as a troublemaker over keeping Ukip’s snout out of the trough.

“But just three months later George Osborne slashed the cost to taxpayers of opposition parties, so by taking a stand you can force change.”

Mr Carswell has been seen as a rebel by his own party after refusing to accept all of the £650,000 allowance to run its parliamentary office, which Ukip was entitled to after receiving four million votes in the general election.

Officials from the party proposed Mr Carswell use the money to hire 15 staff, but he said he did not need to spend that much money.

In September, Mr Farage accused Mr Carswell of harbouring “residual loyalty” to the Tories, after he criticised his EU referendum strategy.

Mr Carswell rebelled against his Tory government bosses more than 60 times between 2010 and 2014.

He also showed his independent streak in Clacton town centre in January 2014 when he apprehended a shoplifter.

The Political Studies Association awards jury said: “Carswell has established himself as an anti-politician, railing against the Westminster elite and championing the issues of his constituents.”

The association paid tribute to a number of politicians, journalists, broadcasters and academics at its annual awards dinner.

Other MPs who received awards on the night included Harriet Harman and Sarah Wollaston.