The deputy speaker of Russia’s parliament, Vladimir Zhirinovsky has been urged to resign after verbally insulting a pregnant reporter at a press conference.

The leader of the nationalist Liberal Democratic party lost control when the reporter asked him if Russia plans any reciprocal action against Ukraine.

He responded with an outburst of threats and at one point ordered his subordinate staff to rape the journalist.

One editor at Russia Today television says Zhirinovsky should face criminal charges for incitement.

“Many people have already become used to his extraordinary behaviour but when he allowed himself to openly call for violence within the walls of State Duma all journalists of our agency and colleagues from other media organisations were outraged,” said Dmitry Gornostayev.

Zhirinovsky’s widely known for his anti-Western rhetoric. The ethics committee of Russia’s parliament has indicated that it will press for his suspension.