The politician responsible for the “gay propaganda” law has said Facebook should be blocked in Russia.

Vitaly Milonov has said he will urge the government to propose a block on Facebook after the site introduced a feature that allows users to add a rainbow flag filter to their profile pictures.

He said, on Russian radio according the Express Tribune: “It is a crude violation of Russian legislation. Facebook has no age limits, it is impossible to control how many minors are there.

“That is why it would be completely normal to pull the plug on Facebook in Russia.

“I would call on thousands of people and we will write to Putin.

“Any normal person would not leave this unnoticed. If Roskomnadzor [state broadcasting and communications regulator] does then they play on the side of those who wish harm to our homeland.”

Milonov was likely responsible for a raid on a gay nightclub that was owned by one of the women who posed for a viral photo, kissing in front of him on a plane.

He said at the time: “I also have a good sense of humour. I will perhaps continue this joke by closing their gay club in St. Petersburg, or ban them from having meetings in public places, that’s also a funny step.” He also called them “mentally ill”.

In 2013, Milanov said that gay people were not “normal” and compared being gay to living “with a dog, with a horse, with a sheep, whatever.”.

In October, he said Apple CEO Tim Cook should be banned from Russia after he spoke publicly about being gay for the first time.