Ex-Sunderland MP Chris Mullin says Adam Johnson's sentence is 'out of proportion'

Chris Mullin, former MP for Sunderland South, who now lives in north Northumberland.

Johnson, 28, was jailed for six years by a judge at Bradford Crown Court for child sex offences relating to an underage fan earlier today.

Mr Mullin, who served as MP for Sunderland South until 2010, reacted to the sentence by tweeting: "Six year sentence on Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson out of proportion to the offence."

The former politician, who served as a Minister in Tony Blair's New Labour Government, was immediately slammed on Twitter.

Among those voicing their disagreement was Sunderland entrepreneur and former Apprentice star Katie Bulmer-Cooke, who tweeted: "Of course it's not out of proportion...not only did he do something awful he abused his position as a role model."

Before entering politics, Mr Mullin worked as a journalist, during which time he was instrumental in getting justice for the Birmingham Six.