A man has been arrested following an investigation into an allegedly threatening Twitter post that called for people to "Jo Cox" an MP.

Police launched a probe into messages sent to Anna Soubry, MP for Broxtowe in Nottinghamshire, who has been an outspoken defender of Britain’s membership of the European Union.

Ms Soubry revealed a Twitter post calling for her to be “Jo Coxed” – a reference to the Remain-supporting MP murdered by a right-wing extremist in the run-up to the EU referendum.

She also said her constituency office had received a call threatening to harm her in the same way as the murdered Labour MP.

“Someone jo cox Anna sourby [sic] please,” the tweet read.

The message was posted by a social media user identifying as “Mike”. His account has been removed from the website.

The politician responded to the message on social media, calling the Twitter user a "sad cowardly troll" and noting the differently spelled surname.

Nottinghamshire Police later confirmed they were investigating the incident.

Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes and candles are placed by a picture of slain Labour MP Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament square in London AFP Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping in London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures The Union flag at half-mast on top of Portcullis House in London after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (2R) and deputy leader Tom Watson (L) light candles as they attend a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson (rear) arrive to leave tributes at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People leave St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flowers left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminste, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People react as they look at tributes left for Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A man writes a message at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People stop to look at tributes left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman arrives to lay flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman places candles in tribute to Labour Party MP Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A member of the public signs a memorial for British MP Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London EPA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People sign messages of condolence for MP Jo Cox during a vigil in Parliament Square in London Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flags at half mast outside Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People arrive in Market Square with floral tributes after the death of Jo Co Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are placed in Market Square next to the statue of Joseph Priestley following the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are brought to the scene after the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A police officer carries bunches of flowers at the scene of the shooting of Labour MP Jo Cox in Birstall REUTERS

Afterwards Ms Soubry tweeted: "Thank u everyone for much appreciated support. Voices of hope & tolerance will not be bullied off [Twitter] or anywhere else."

On Saturday the Metropolitan Police said a 25-year-old man was arrested at his home in Bethnal Green on "suspicion of sending malicious communications".

A spokesman said the man was in custody in an east London police station. He has not been charged.

It comes after Jo Cox's murderer, 43-year-old Thomas Mair, was jailed for life for shooting and stabbing the Labour MP for Batley and Spen outside her constituency office in Birstall, West Yorkshire, in June.

Conservative MP Ms Soubry was a Remain supporter in the EU referendum, as was Mrs Cox.