Former presidential candidate and Republican Senator Mitt Romney has become one of the first senior figures in the party to criticise Donald Trump’s reaction to the election, calling it ‘reckless’.

Romney has said Trump is ‘causing harm to freedom’ and he ‘recklessly inflames passions’.

He tweeted: "The President is within his rights to request recounts, to call for investigation of alleged voting irregularities where evidence exists, and to exhaust legal remedies - doing these things is consistent with our election process.

“He is wrong to say that the election is rigged, corrupt and stolen - doing so damages the cause of freedom here and around the world, weakens the institutions that lie at the foundation of the Republic and recklessly inflames destructive and dangerous passions.”

Trump has claimed the election is ‘rigged’ as he held leads in states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia before mail-in votes were counted.

 He has now demanded recounts and is pursuing legal action.

Romney’s comments came after Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennslyvania called Trump’s claims ‘disturbing’.

He told CBS This Morning: “There’s simply no evidence anyone has shown me of any widespread corruption or fraud.

“The president’s speech last night was very disturbing to me because he made very, very serious allegations without any evidence to support it."