Former BBC Three counties presenter Stephen Rhodes has been accused by a national newspaper of being involved in a "bizarre plot" with Mid Beds Conservative MP Nadine Dorries to prevent Esther Rantzen winning the Luton South seat.

It says the radio veteran's decision to launch himself as an independent candidate for the seat could minimise the That's Life! presenter's chances of success.

Following the allegations, published this morning, the radio veteran admitted attempting an undercover sting discover whether the Daily Telegraph had a vendetta against his friend Mrs Dorries.

The MP last year criticised the outcome of the paper's investigation into the expenses scandal, saying it had resulted in a "witchhunt" that had left some MPs contemplating suicide.

Mr Rhodes said: "They've never found anything on her. Nadine is one of the people who stood up to them."

The Telegraph's story says Mr Rhodes, who is divorced, and Mrs Dorries, who is separated from her husband, have a close personal friendship. It goes on to say the MP criticised Miss Rantzen on her blog following an episode of Question Time where they were both on the panel.

The paper says Mrs Dorries has denied her friendship with Mr Rhodes was anything other than platonic.

And Mr Rhodes told the Luton News today he believed it was Mr Rantzen who had gone to the paper.

He said: "I haven't given up my television and radio career to bring down Esther Rantzen. We believe this has come from Esther Rantzen. I'm somewhat bemused."

But the That's Life! presenter said the revelations were nothing to do with her.

And Miss Rantzen said she had been surprised to hear Mr Rhodes was standing as a candidate for the Luton South constituency.

She said: "Last Friday he asked to meet me in a car park, which I thought was a bit odd, and told me he was going to stand as an independent candidate in the Luton North constituency. He asked me for my support."

Mrs Dorries, whose constituency includes Toddington and Harlington, was not available for comment when contacted by Luton Today.

But a posting on her Twitter page read: "Stephen Rhodes was BBC Three Counties breakfast presenter, was a friend, he did tell me he wanted to stand, he declared, no longer friends. The end."