Deborah Lipstadt called Mr Irving "dangerous"

It wanted Mr Irving declared bankrupt at the hearing in London on Monday so that creditors can make claims against his assets.

Following Monday's ruling Mark Bateman of Penguin's solicitors Davenport Lyons said: "Our client has been very patient but Irving was clearly not going to meet the interim payment which is a fraction of their total costs.

"The costs consequences of his failing with his libel action have long been clear."

'Distorted history'

Mr Irving, who lives in Mayfair, central London, has argued that he has already put forward a reasonable offer to Penguin.

Ms Lipstadt's book described him as a "Hitler partisan" who had distorted history and was "one of the most dangerous spokespersons for Holocaust denial."

Mr Irving had expressed doubts about whether there had been mass gassing at the Auschwitz concentration camp.