A Eurosceptic, rebellious Tory MP snapped smiling with Nigel Farage last night, two days before the Rochester by-election, has got tongues wagging:

Despite fevered speculation overnight, it is unlikely Mark Pritchard will be the next man to jump ship. Especially judging by his recent, previous thoughts on UKIP:

There should be no Conservative/UKIP pact. UKIP statements in Heywood & Middleton showed some parts of UKIP – more Labour than Labour

— Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (@MPritchardUK) October 11, 2014

If UKIP MEPs are so concerned about EU budget they should give a pledge to UK electorate that they will give up EU chauffeur driven mercedes

— Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (@MPritchardUK) November 7, 2014

Campaigning in Rochester later today. Who knows I may bump into Nigel Farage! Only the Conservatives can deliver an EU referendum – not UKIP

— Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (@MPritchardUK) October 11, 2014

… As someone once famously said before…