Columnist Katie Hopkins applies for insolvency

Hopkins, who once billed herself as “Britain’s most controversial columnist”, was involved in a high-profile and costly defamation case with food writer Jack Monroe.

In May 2015, Hopkins appeared to imply in tweets that Monroe had defaced war memorials, something Hopkins later said was incorrect and a case of mistaken identity. Hopkins was ordered to pay Monroe £24,000 plus substantial legal costs in a high court ruling last year.

Hopkins has applied for an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), according to a filing with the Individual Insolvency Register, which will allow her to avoid bankruptcy and manage the long-term repayment of her debts.

Revealing the existence of the IVA, Monroe said she had been paid in full, but several other creditors were awaiting payment. Meanwhile, many Twitter users flagged up a 2014 tweet by Hopkins which suggested those in debt typically blame others for their situations.

Hopkins was refused permission to appeal in the legal battle in January and was left with bills of £24,000 in damages to Monroe and £107,000 in costs to her lawyers.