The North West Leicestershire branch of the Conservative Party has become drawn into an exchange of words on social media with Laurence Fox, leader of the Reclaim Party.

Coalville MP Andrew Bridgen joined Reclaim when he was thrown out by the Conservatives earlier this year for his controversial views on the Government's vaccination programme.

NWL Conservatives made reference to that yesterday after responding to a Tweet from Mr Fox, which referred to gender issues.

The post read: "The hate and vitriol of Andrew Bridgen's new leader.

"We are a community who believe in tolerance and respect.

"North West Leicestershire is better than this."

Replying to other Tweets, NWL Conservatives added: "There's a whole debate about self ID with many different viewpoints.

"But it's a debate which has far reaching effects on people's lives and should always be held with respect and sensitivity."

Mr Fox then responded with another Tweet which reads: "Can I self ID as a squirrel? Yes. Does that make me an actual squirrel? No.

"Thrilled as I am that the NWL Conservatives are choosing this strange hill to die on, you are denying the existence of 50 per cent of the electorate. That's not good maths."

NWL Conservatives then responded with: "Tell us you've never run a political campaign without telling us you've never run a political campaign."

The spat came as Mr Bridgen launched a leaflet campaign in Coalville and across the district.

In it, he explains why he is staying as MP for North West Leicester despite switching parties and says: "I left the Conservative Party because it no longer respects freedom of speech.

Coalville MP Andrew Bridgen. Photo: YouTube

"I will be staying on as your MP in order to continue to represent the concerns of my constituents, which I was no longer able to do in my old party.

"The Reclaim Party is the only party in Britain that truly believes in freedom of speech. I am delighted to join them."