Burton's MP says he believes social media providers need to take more responsibility after the sick abuse his wife suffered at the hands of online trolls while she was pregnant.

Tory MP Andrew Griffiths, who has represented the Burton constituency since 2010, was speaking on TV show Sunday Politics, broadcast on June 17.

He faced questions from host Patrick Burns on a number of topics, including online abuse that politicians face and how women should be encouraged to take part in politics.

Mr Griffiths, made reference to the abuse that he and his wife, Kate, faced before the birth of their first child , Alice Harriet on Tuesday, April 10.

It comes after Culture Secretary, Matt Hancock declared in May of his intention to introduce new internet-safety legislation for social media platforms later this year. This will be set out as a code of practice for social media sites to adhere to.

Within the last few days, MP Andrew Griffiths - Parliamentary Under - Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and his wife Kate, welcomed a new edition into their family. Their daughter Alice Harriet Griffiths, who was born at Queen's hospital, weighing in at 7lb 3oz
Pictured: Kate Griffiths, Baby Alice, MP Andrew Griffiths
MP Andrew Griffiths and wife Kate with baby Alice

Mr Griffiths said: "I think women and men, across all political parties are suffering from this.

"Just a few months ago when my wife was pregnant, some kind soul on Facebook said they hoped our baby died and that my wife went through hell when she was giving birth.

"The tone and discourse that politics is undertaking has changed dramatically and we have to do something."

Mr Griffiths said that social media providers should take more responsibility for what is said on their websites.

He said: "First of all, the Government, as you know, has asked the law commission to look at the sentences that can be handed down in relation to this kind of abuse.

Andrew Griffiths appears on Sunday Politics alongside Preet Gill
Andrew Griffiths appears on Sunday Politics alongside Preet Gill

"But secondly, a real need for the social media providers to step up and take the responsibility needed.

"These are huge companies making huge profits across the globe. They have a responsibility. That's why we're looking for a code on social media providers to be brought in later in the year."

The conversation then moved onto women's role in politics, as it was revealed that just five out of 38 local authorities in the Midlands have female council leaders.

Mr Griffiths insisted he was proud to represent the Conservative Party that is not only led by a women, in PM Theresa May, but that he has also seen two women leaders become Prime Minister, Mrs May and Margaret Thatcher.

He said: "I'm proud to be from a party that no only has a woman leader, but has produced two women Prime Ministers.

"Theresa May has done a huge amount to try and modernise our party and encourage women to come forward.

"As a Government we are absolutely focused on making sure that women reach their true potential, whether they're that's in politics or in the workplace."

The Conservative MP was speaking alongside Preet Gill, the Labour representative for Edgbaston, in Birmingham.

She said that she believed women do face the brunt of online abuse among politics, but claims to deal with the abuse she faces by blocking the "trolls".