UKIP MEP Jane Collins in court today over libel costs

Ms Collins was ordered  last February to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds in libel damages and costs, which are still outstanding.

Today's hearing will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice and will determine how much of the costs UKIP can be held liable for.

Sir Kevin Barron, John Healey and Sarah Champion are all entitled to £54,000 each from the UKIP MEP after remarks she made about Rotherham’s child abuse scandal were adjudged to be libellous.

She claimed in a 2014 conference speech that the MPs knew about child exploitation in the town but did nothing to intervene, and failed in a court bid to prove she was entitled to MEPs’ immunity.

Ms Collins also faces a legal costs bill of around £196,000 together with the £162,000 damages, making a total bill of £358,000.

At a hearing on February 6 last year, she was ordered to pay the £162,000 and £120,000 of the costs – a total of £282,000 within 21 days. 

Ms Champion, Mr Healey and Sir Kevin pledged to donate any money they received to charity.

None of the Rotherham MPs are expected to attend the hearing today and the outcome is expected to be announced next week.