talkSPORT to stop promoting Twitter over Collymore tweets

We are dismayed at the lack of response and perceived inaction by Twitter.

Racist or abusive messages of this nature are illegal and unacceptable.

We have more than three million Twitter followers across our accounts but we will not promote these until we are satisfied that Twitter is doing its utmost to prevent abuse of this nature.

We have a duty of care to all our staff and presenters and until I am satisfied that Twitter is treating this seriously we will no longer promote Twitter accounts or use tweets on-air.

We cannot stop people from saying offensive, hurtful things on the Internet or on Twitter. But we take action when content is reported to us that breaks our rules or is illegal.

We have features that allow people to block accounts from following them, unfollow accounts they don’t want to see and filter the replies they receive - to put people in control of what they see on Twitter. We continue to invest in technologies that will give people more ways to customise their Twitter experience.

"Trolling" is straightforwardly bullying, intimidation and harassment perpetrated by a person who feels anonymous because they don't have to use their real identity.

People across the UK - young and old alike -really need to think carefully before they get involved in what they might feel is seemingly harmless and imagine how it may be taken by the person, or their friends and family, on the receiving end.

Actions on the internet can have real consequences and the law is clear that using a communication system to harass or intimidate another person is an offence.

The law protects those on the receiving end of trolling behaviour, as recent cases have shown: trolls are not beyond the long arm of the law

We've been in contact with Mr Collymore to get more information and to reassure him that we will carry out a thorough and detailed investigation.

Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and we all have a shared responsibility to treat each other with dignity and respect.

It's our role to investigate complaints of criminal behaviour and, where appropriate, take action. When we become aware of complaints about potential criminal offences, we gather evidence to allow the Crown Prosecution Service to make a decision on whether to charge or not.

Our investigation into previous alleged offences is continuing and we are currently liaising with Twitter to obtain subscriber details.