in the town but did not intervene.

She made the comments in a speech at a UKIP conference a month after a report found that about 1,400 children in the area had been abused between 1997 and 2013.

She also expressed the opinion that they acted out of political correctness, political cowardice or political selfishness and were guilty of misconduct so grave that it was or should be criminal, as it aided the perpetrators.

image copyright PA image caption The award of £54,000 for defamation in each case was composed of £45,000 for libel and £9,000 for slander

Ms Collins argued it was a political speech which did not contain any allegation of fact but expressed an opinion to the effect that the MPs were likely to have known that sexual exploitationwas a serious problem in the area.

She was ordered to pay a total of £162,000 damages to the MPs and £120,000 towards the £196,000 legal bill within 21 days, but failed to do so.

Ms Collins appeared at a private hearing at Hull County Court to discuss a demand for payment issued by the MPs' lawyers.

It is understood she had requested the demand was set aside but this was not agreed at the hearing.

A spokeswoman for Ms Collins said the judge has now ordered that an examination of her assets should take place before 8 June .