Police are investigating a threatening Facebook message sent to a Kent MP.

The message, which showed an emoji image of a gun and a knife, was posted on Thanet South MP Craig Mackinlay's Facebook page.

Police confirmed the alleged threat, which was posted yesterday morning, was reported to them today.

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A spokesman said: "Kent Police is investigating a report of a threatening or offensive communication made today.

"Inquiries are ongoing."

Craig Mackinlay said: "Following the shocking events of last Thursday, it is in the most appalling taste that I have received a death threat using social media, with ‘emoticons’ of a gun, knife and laughing face recommending a similar means by which I should be executed.

"Sadly, all MPs receive abusive communications, but in the wake of the murder of Jo Cox MP, I have passed on the details to Kent Police who have allocated a senior detective to investigate whether the Malicious Communications Act has been breached.

"Whilst I can take the rough and tumble of modern politics, my wife and staff are obviously concerned about their daily activities in serving the public.

"They have a right to feel safe, and I thank Kent Police for not only considering security at my office more closely, but also for the contact they have made with me following the murder of Jo Cox MP last week.”

Mr Mackinlay was initially a member of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), serving as deputy leader in 1997, before joining the Conservative Party in 2005.

He stood as the Conservative candidate in Kent for the 2012 police and crime commissioner elections.

He was also a Medway councillor for several years, and previously lived in the Medway Towns.

He was voted in as MP for South Thanet in the 2015 elections.