Yorkshire MP Philip Davies has demanded a debate on freedom of speech after a man was found guilty of making a "grossly offensive" video online.

YouTuber Count Dankula, real name Mark Meecham, taught his girlfriend's pug to react to phrases such as "Sieg Heil" and "gas the Jews" in a viral video.

A self-described "professional s*** poster" and free speech advocate, Meecham said the video had been taken out of context.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Davies said: "We guard our freedom of speech in this House very dearly indeed...but we don't often allow our constituents the same freedoms.

"Recent court cases have put the whole issue of freedom of speech into the public domain. Ricky Gervais and David Baddiel have joined forces on this issue.

"Ricky Gervais said 'A man has been convicted in a UK court for making a joke that was deemed grossly offensive. If you don't believe in a person's right to say things you might find grossly offensive then you don't believe in freedom of speech'.

"Can we have a debate about freedom of speech in this country - something this country has long held dear and is in danger of throwing away needlessly?"

Andrea Leadsom, leader of the Commons, responded: “I absolutely commend (Mr Davies) for raising this very important issue.

“We do of course fully support free speech, however, there are limits to it and he will be aware there are laws around what you are allowed to say and I don’t know the circumstances of his specific point, but he may well wish to seek an adjournment debate to take this up directly with ministers.”

Meecham's video was watched more than 3 million times on the video sharing platform. He was arrested after sharing the footage in April 2016.

Speaking after the verdict, he said: "There has been a huge miscarriage of justice.

"I think it is a very, very dark day in terms of freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

"One of the primary things that must be considered in cases like this is context and intent and today context and intent were completely disregarded.

"For the system to disregard such things means that your actions no longer matter - they decide what your context and intent is.

"For any comedians making jokes in Britain, I'd be very, very worried about your future because - the context and intent - apparently they don't matter anymore."

He is due to be sentenced on April 23.