A social media platform known as a safe haven for neo-Nazis has come under scrutiny after it was revealed the suspected Pittsburgh synagogue shooter used it to express antisemitic views.

In the wake of the attack which left 11 dead on Saturday, Gab was taken down after a host of tech hosts suspended it from their services.

In the hours before the shooting, Robert Bowers, 46, reportedly took to Gab to accuse a Jewish charity of “bringing invaders in that kill our people” for resettling refugees.

He allegedly posted: “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.”

Gab was founded in 2016 and is popular in the US and the UK.

The far right Britain First had an account on Gab, after it was kicked off Twitter and Facebook.

Gab has been used by Nick Griffin, the former leader of the British National Party, and Alison Chabloz, the self-described "Holocaust revisionist" who was convicted earlier this year of posting "grossly offensive" songs online.

She used it to urge supporters to donate to her legal fund through PayPal, saying: "First, they came for the singers."

Mr Griffin has used to make more extreme statements than he does on Twitter. He recently used it to call Leicester "one of the most colonised cities in England".

In August the BBC reported that two antisemitic posts were deleted from Gab after Microsoft threatened to take the site down, citing the content.

The posts were made by Patrick Little, who said he wished to remove Jewish people from America.

Gab's home page is now a statement that claims the site down because it is "under attack" and being "systematically no-platformed".

It adds: “We have been smeared by the mainstream media for defending free expression and individual liberty for all people and for working with law enforcement to ensure that justice is served for the horrible atrocity committed in Pittsburgh. Gab will continue to fight for the fundamental human right to speak freely.

“We are working around the clock to get back online. Thank you and remember to speak freely.”