A Ukip candidate has said he fears for his safety after being threatened with beheading in a phone call from someone claiming to be a potential constituent.
Northumbria Police have confirmed they are investigating allegations made by David Robinson-Young, who said he received the call from a man calling himself Mr Khan.
The caller said he lived in the South Gosforth area of Newcastle, in which Mr Robinson-Young is campaigning ahead of the General Election.
Mr Robinson-Young said he had been left “shaken” by the call, and said: “He said the Muslim community is really annoyed with the British government supporting bombing Muslim countries and that the community here just wants to get on with their family lives.”
After 20 minutes of “ranting”, Mr Robinson-Young said he warned he would end the call. He said: “Mr Khan then swore at me saying, ‘you had better f… off or you will be beheaded next’.
“After the terrible Lee Rigby incident I am very concerned about this threat, particularly at this time in an election campaign.”
Mr Robinson Young said the caller said he phoned the Ukip office after receiving one of the party’s leaflets.
He added: “I’m not a man who is easily intimidated, I’m an ex-policeman and I’ve been subjected to numerous physical threats in the past. I left the police service because of injuries received in an assault on duty.
“I found this man’s threats to be particularly chilling and it has really shaken me. However I will not let this incident prevent me from continuing in the campaign to try and change our country for the better.”
Mr Robinson-Young’s allegations are being investigated. No arrests have been made.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “The matter has been reported to the police and is being investigated.”