A Labour MP has claimed that internet trolls now “totally dominate” local newspaper websites.

Graham Jones was speaking at a Parliamentary debate highlighting the growing issue of internet trolls and “RIP trolling” in particular, in which anonymous users leave comments mocking the dead on social networks and newspaper websites.

The MP for Hyndburn said: “It seems that local newspapers now cannot have an online discussion or commentary following an article on their websites because trolls will totally dominate and post page after page of abuse, which means other people just switch off.