Coalville MP Andrew Bridgen says papers beginning his legal action against former Government Health Secretary Matt Hancock have been lodged.

Mr Bridgen, now representing the Reclaim Party, says he will be naming 'some very significant public figures' as witnesses.

He is suing Mr Hancock following a tweet accusing the North West Leicestershire MP of "antisemitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories".

Mr Bridgen was suspended as a Tory MP over a tweet likening the impact of Covid vaccines to the Holocaust.

But he has claimed £100,000 in libel damages.

Mr Hancock - who had the Tory whip removed for his reality TV appearance - said at the time he was standing by his comments.

Coalville MP Andrew Bridgen. Image: BBC

A "letter before action" was sent on Mr Bridgen's behalf by a group called The Bad Law Project, with the support of the Reclaim Party, led by actor and activist Laurence Fox.

According to the letter, Mr Bridgen believes the former health secretary's words were defamatory.

He then started a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money need to take on Mr Hancock in the courts.

That has so far raised just over £98,000 and Mr Bridgen issued an update on social media this afternoon (Wednesday).

He said: "I want to update you on the status of the defamation case against Mr Hancock, the claim form has now been lodged, which means the details of my claim will now be served on his solicitors in the coming weeks.

"My case rests simply on this point, MPs must be able to debate important issues in the public interest, without ridiculous smear campaigns being waged against them.

"I'm very grateful for your amazing generosity in supporting me in this case. Just under £100,000 has been raised, which shows the public cares deeply about the Government Covid policy, vaccine harms, and the right to speak freely about such issues.

"I repeat that any funds remaining after the completion of this claim will go to charities supporting the vaccine injured, along with any compensation due to me by Mr Hancock, as a result of this action.

"I will share a fresh update, on the claim in due course, including sharing the views of some very significant public figures, who have agreed to be witnesses on my behalf."

Mr Bridgen says on his crowdfunding page: "I am suing Mr Hancock for defamation. Earlier this year, the former Health Secretary described me in a tweet as a "disgusting and dangerous" propagator of anti-Semitism.

"I believe this was to stop me asking questions about the safety and efficacy of Covid vaccines on behalf of my constituents and other members of the public who have suffered adverse reactions to the vaccines and from Covid policy in many other ways.

"If I am successful, any damages awarded will be donated IN FULL to support the seriously vaccine injured and their ongoing fight for recognition and remedy."