A UKIP candidate’s claims that he was threatened with beheading are being investigated by police.

Newcastle East candidate David Robinson-Young said he had received the threat on Tuesday during a 20-minute phone call with an angry voter.

Mr Robinson-Young said he had received a call from a man who had received a Ukip leaflet that morning and was angry at British support for the bombing of Muslim countries.

At the end of the conversation, Mr Robinson-Young claimed the called told him: “you had better f*** off or you will be beheaded next”.

The 62-year-old barrister said he had reported the matter to the police and 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”.

But he added: "I found this man’s threats to be particularly chilling and it as really shaken me. However, I will not let this incident prevent me from continuing in the campaign.”

Northumbria Police confirmed it was investigating the alleged threat.

A spokesman said: “The matter has been reported to police and is being investigated".