A MAN has been arrested for allegedly threatening the former leader of a political party on social media following her appearance on the BBC's Question Time programme in Blackburn.

West Midlands Police said it had detained a man on suspicion of malicious communication following a complaint by Salma Yaqoob.

Ms Yaqoob, who led the Respect party before resigning in September 2012, posted a screenshot of the alleged threat on her Twitter social media page.

The remark relating to her was posted to a discussion on Facebook.

In a post to her official Twitter feed on Thursday, hours after the political show had been filmed at King George’s Hall, she said: “Still on way back to Birmingham from Blackburn.

“Appreciating all the Twitter support!

“Always daunting but huge privilege to be on #bbcqt.”

She added: “Apart from this threat to cut my throat ... overwhelmed by warm response to what I said on #bbcqt.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said on the force's official Twitter feed: “A man is currently in custody on suspicion of malicious communications.”

Ms Yaqoob served as a Respect councillor on Birmingham City Council from 2006-11 and fought the Birmingham Hall Green constituency for the party in 2010, securing second place.