Surge in Tory members sparks fears of right-wing takeover

As internal divisions over Brexit plague Britain's ruling Conservative Party, a recent surge in membership has left some fearing the new recruits have ulterior motives.

The Tories have seen thousands of new members apply to join its ranks this summer, according to lawmakers and reports.

But this newfound popularity has not been welcomed by all within the centre-right bastion of British politics.

"There clearly is a movement of people joining the Conservative Party but for exactly what purpose it's impossible to say," Dominic Grieve, a pro-European MP, told AFP.

In his constituency in southeast England it has grown by around 100 people to 1,200 members in recent months -- alongside his suspicions.

"I'm sure there's a deselection agenda by some members of my association towards me," he added.

"The Conservative Party's always been a broad church and tolerant of difference.

But I'm afraid at the moment we're going through a political crisis which is reducing tolerance."