The death of an Italian right wing MEP who made headlines for controversial anti-immigration stunts and comments has sparked tasteless reactions on social media.

Gianluca Buonanno, a member of anti-immigration Northern League known for his provocations in both the Italian and European Parliament, has died in a car crash aged 50 on Sunday.

His wife, who was also in the car, is reported to be in hospital.

In a show of bad taste, some Italians have taken to social media to rejoice in the death of the politician, with one of the more moderates saying that "death was the only way of getting rid of him."