News and Star readers have been left bemused after a Conservative MP suggested that the increase in lead roles being portrayed by woman has caused young men to commit crimes.

Nick Fletcher said there appears to be a “tiny yet very vocal minority” of people that want a female replacement for “every male character or good role model”.

He told MPs this has left men with Tommy Shelby, from crime drama Peaky Blinders, and the Krays as their screen role models, before asking: “Is there any wonder we are seeing so many young men committing crime?”

Mr Fletcher’s comments came as he led the International Men’s Day Debate in Westminster Hall.

The MP for Don Valley highlighted the difficulties faced by young boys – with many “lagging behind” at school.

He stressed the need for boys to have “positive” male role models and pressed the Government to help efforts to encourage more men to become teachers.

On the News and Star’s Facebook page, readers have shared their views on Mr Fletcher’s opinions.

Patsi Waite has started to question those who are chosen to represent their constituency. She said: “I do worry about quite a few of the people who are elected to Parliament. There’s one who thinks Yorkshire tea is grown in Yorkshire and another who said the sea was closed.”

Walter Walker on the other hand took a different view. He discussed: “This could be true. The elite rabbit on about father figures, if there are no father figure what do you get? Role models. If the role models are all one type, you only get a reflexion of that role model.”

Tina Knight shared that the comments caused a debate at home. She commented: “This actually caused a row in my house and it was the men arguing about it. What on earth?”

Rachel Lee Douglas took the time to counter argue Mr Fletcher. She said: “By virtue of that logic, it would mean that women have been on a violent crime rampage since time immemorial until recently when Dr Who, Ghostbusters, Luke Skywalker and The Equalizer got changed to female actors to give them positive role models to aspire to. Didn't happen though, did it?”