A crowdfunding page set up by Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen to pay for his costs after announcing legal action against former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, has raised £71,000 in two days.

Mr Bridgen confirmed he was now a member of the Reclaim Party on Wednesday, then added he would be suing Mr Hancock who accused him of anti-semitism following a tweet where he appeared to compare the Government's Covid-19 vaccine roll-out to the Holocaust.

Mr Hancock has responded via a spokesman, describing the action as a 'pathetic publicity stunt'.

The East Anglian Daily Times reported the spokesman for the former cabinet minister as saying: "Matt will defend this absurd action, which is a pathetic publicity stunt.

"The claim has no credible basis and, when Matt wins the case, he will also seek to recover all costs.

"Vaccines save lives, and Matt will always defend science and progress against unfounded conspiracy theories that put people's health at risk."

But Mr Bridgen has gained financial backing from some of his supporters.

On the his crowdfunding page, titled 'The Day Democracy Died', he has raised more than £71,000 of a £250,000 target.

Mr Bridgen says: "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.

"Support free speech and the right of MPs to give a voice to the unheard. If you can, please support my case against Mr Hancock."