POLICE are investigating whether a Ukip election candidate broke the law by suggesting he "might" rape Labour MP Jess Phillips.

Carl Benjamin, who had previously come under fire for a social media message in which he said he "wouldn't even rape" the Birmingham Yardley MP, posted a video online suggesting that "with enough pressure I might cave".

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Police have received a report of malicious communications relating to MP Jess Phillips.

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"Officers have spoken to Ms Phillips and the comments are being investigated to establish if an offence has taken place."

Phillips, a frequent target of online abuse, told the BBC she "cried in the street" in response to the comments.

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The Labour MP said: "I realised that I did what all women do in these situations, I had been putting a brave face on it and pretending that it was all fine and that I can cope.

"It dawned on me that, for four years essentially, this man had made a career out of harassing me. And I felt harassed.

"I felt 'how can somebody say that they would rape me if forced and be a legitimate candidate in an election?'"

She said it was "one thing when he was just some idiot off the internet" but now "it's a different thing when he is standing on the same platforms I am standing on, that he will potentially go to a parliament himself as an elected representative".

"I cannot believe our system is so weak at the moment that's allowed to happen."

A number of female politicians sent messages of support to Ms Phillips on social media.

Former Labour colleague Luciana Berger offered "solidarity" with the Birmingham Yardley MP.

Change UK MP Anna Soubry tweeted: "Proud to standby you Jess and send you love and support @jessphillips."

Labour's Lisa Nandy wrote: "Such admiration for @jessphillips."