A leading barrister who bludgeoned a fox to death with a baseball bat is facing calls for police to investigate the killing, as he is branded "disgusting" by an MP.

Jolyon Maugham QC was accused of acting barbarically by animal rights supporters and calls have now emerged for him to face legal action over the killing.

Nigel Evans, Conservative MP for Ribble Valley in Lancashire, told The Telegraph his actions were "disgusting", adding: "It is beyond understanding. He should face the full force of the law."

Mr Maugham's local councillor, Labour's Richard Livingstone, said on Twitter: "For the removal of any doubt, Southwark Council's policy towards foxes does not in any way support bludgeoning them to death."

Wildlife presenter Chris Packham also stepped in to condemn the barrister, saying he "battered a fox to death...then bragged about it".

Lorraine Platt, co-founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, added: “It is sad to hear of a wild animal being killed in such an extremely savage way.

"Would a cat or dog intruder found trapped in the netting to protect the chickens in the garden be treated in the same brutal manner and clubbed to death with a baseball bat?

"Wild animals deserve the same protection from unnecessary suffering as domesticated animals. Nobody is above the law”.