A senior government minister has been warned he will face legal action if he repeats his comments that Momentum are "neo-fascist".

Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, made the remarks in Parliament during a debate on cuts to local government funding.

In response to questions, he said: "Yesterday there was a meeting of the hard left neo-fascist Momentum group in Wandsworth."

He was referring to a meeting being held in the south London borough to discuss how to fund council spending.

On Twitter, Momentum shot back - and warned: "@savidjavid, do you really believe we're a 'neo-fascist' organisation? Say it outside parliament and you'll hear from our lawyers."


Not a member yet? Join today 🙂https://t.co/llRlgZrmPM — Momentum (@PeoplesMomentum) March 28, 2018

Momentum is described as a grassroots movement which is supportive of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Critics within the Parliamentary Labour Party have raised concerns that Momentum is looking to encourage the deselection of moderate MPs and councillors who are not left-wing enough.

A number of people have condemned Mr Javid's comments, including Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas.

She tweeted: "Whether you share the politics of @PeoplesMomentum or not, it is absurd and disgraceful to call them 'neo-fascist'. The minister should apologise."

Meanwhile, commentator Owen Jones wrote: "So @sajidjavid describing @PeoplesMomentum as neo-fascist in Parliament today is a disgraceful smear against tens of thousands of anti-fascist activists who believe in a more just and equal world, and also belittles the horror of actual fascism. He should apologise in full."

Mr Javid has not responded to Momentum's threat.