An ex-MP is to sue the man who ousted him from Parliament.

Former Tory shadow minister Nigel Waterson, who represented Eastbourne for 18 years, is taking current MP Stephen Lloyd to court for libel.

The row surrounds claims the Liberal Democrat made about his opponent during the general election.

Mocked-up newspapers produced by the Lib Dems before the 2010 election described Mr Waterson's expenses claims as “scandalous” and referred to him as “expenses scandal MP”.

Now Mr Waterson, who served as shadow Pensions Minister and shadow Minister for Older People, has filed papers at the High Court against Mr Lloyd and his Parliamentary agent, Rebecca Carr.

He said no criticism had ever been directed at him either during the Daily Telegraph's investigation into MPs' expenses or Sir Thomas Legg's audit.

Mr Lloyd won the Eastbourne seat at the 2010 election after receiving 24,658 votes to Mr Waterson's 21,223.