Robert Kilroy-Silk sets out his stall - but is his party, Veritas, more than just a vehicle for one man's ambition?

When Robert Kilroy Silk launched his own political party, Veritas, in February, its chairman said the party expected to field a parliamentary candidate in the majority of seats in the country.

But Channel Four News has learned that the television-presenter-turned-politician has so far only managed to sign up 79 prospective candidates to his cause.

The party's unusual in asking all would-be MPs to undergo a criminal records check - but it says that delays in getting these done has been holding up recruitment.

Our reporter Katie Razzall has been to see Mr Kilroy-Silk on the campaign trail.

He works market towns like he used to work live tv audiences. Robert Kilroy Silk wants your vote on May 5th.

His new party's only been around for two months. Even in the East Midlands where he's an MEP - it's not exactly high profile.

From a random selection on potential voters asked by Channel 4 News to name his party, some of the responses included: “not a clue", “something stupid" and "UKIP - that was the last one - Veritas".

The Veritas leader knows it's not all sunshine for his party, but he also knows as he glad-hands, touches, woos and charms, that the Kilroy magic works.

He told Channel 4 News: "They want their country back. They don’t feel this is their country anymore, they think it’s been stolen from them.

“That’s what this is about, it’s not about anyone’s ego but about a real, serious political purpose.”

But that wasn't the tone at the party's launch - its chairman made bold claims about how many seats Veritas would fight in the general election.

In fact, Veritas has only been able to provide channel 4 news with 79 confirmed names - they say they plan to find at least the 88 needed to allow them a party election broadcast.

What a difference a year makes - when the UK Independence Party with Kilroy Silk still on board had triumphed at the European elections in June 2004, the future looked bright.

But when their best known politician left he took some UKIP members with him and probably some of their votes but UKIP is fighting 500 seats in May.

They've got the tone of the office sorted - and some of the merchandise - but they say it's taking time to vet candidates because unlike other parties they require criminal record checks. We wondered why.

John Burke, National Agent for Veritas said: It’s to find out if they’ve been members of any extreme right wing or left wing organisations for that matter.”

So what do you need to be a Veritas candidate? Apart from a clean record - there's a psychometric test that may have people stumped - what exactly is the right answer to this when the party's led by someone who definitely likes being boss?

“I like being in charge.” – Veritas Psychometric test

And with that he's off - the man dismissed by PR guru Max Clifford as a legend in his own mind has some straight-talking to do somewhere else.