An MP has reported a death threat he received over Twitter to police.

Mike Weatherley received a death threat in response to an online news story where he called for pressure on Russia over their anti-gay legislation.

As the story went online on PinkNews, Twitter user @magiczebras tweeted KILL WEATHERLEY.

The Twitter profile is also linked to a blog by an Icelandic blogger who describes herself as “an anarchist, feminist, communist”.

The Hove MP immediately reported the offensive tweet to senior Sussex Police officers and the force is now investigating.

Mr Weatherley said: “My Hove constituents would be shocked at the violence and abuse that my staff and I face on a regular basis.

“The issue tends to get trivialised though.

“Most would agree with Sussex Police that death threats are probably a step too far to say the least.

“This sort of barbaric behaviour will certainly not stop me from standing up for gay rights either here or abroad.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “We have been made aware of a message on Twitter in which Hove MP Mike Weatherley is threatened.

“We are investigating the content and source of the message.”