Norfolk MP George Freeman sent his own nomination for a knighthood to more than 100 Conservative colleagues.

The Mid Norfolk MP forwarded a letter to members of the Tory One Nation WhatsApp group on Monday evening.

Published by The Sun, the letter showed the former science minister was nominated for a "Knighthood for Services to Science and Public Service".

The letter was reportedly sent by a member of his staff in error.

It comes after Mr Freeman revealed he was forced to quit his role as science minister in November due to being unable to afford his mortgage payments, despite earning around £118,300.

He said in a blog post: "I was so exhausted, bust and depressed that I was starting to lose the irrepressible spirit of optimism, endeavour, teamwork and progress which are the fundamentals of human achievement.

"And because my mortgage rises this month from £800pcm to £2,000, which I simply couldn’t afford to pay on a ministerial salary."

Mr Freeman, who spent more than a decade in the life sciences and technology sectors before entering Parliament, will be now able to make more money outside of government.