A high-profile lawyer has been instructed into pursue claims against a rock band that claimed actress Tracy-Ann Oberman and Countdown presenter Rachel Riley’s activism against antisemitism would lead to “someone on the left being physically harmed”.

Reverend and The Makers, an English rock band from Sheffield, South Yorkshire tweeted to ask "what is wrong" with the pair, who have been targets for trolls for speaking out on social media about Jew-hate.

The band said their "constant outrage at everything" was "going to wind up with someone on the left being physically harmed”.

Mark Lewis, who was hired three weeks ago, is expected to take legal action against up to 70 people the pair believe either posted libellous claims about them or sent them abusive messages.

On Sunday, Ms Oberman posted a picture of the Reverend and The Makers tweet about her and Ms Riley and wrote: “This band are going to be sued for spreading libellous unsubstantiated smears."

She called the band's tweet an "explicit statement" that she and Ms Riley would "be responsible for something terrible happening".

“These allegations cannot stand,” she wrote.

I get asked why Legals are involved. FYI so everyone is aware -this band are going to be sued for spreading libellous unsubstantiated smears.Explicit statement that @RachelRileyRR & I will be responsible for something terrible happening.These allegations can not stand. X pic.twitter.com/DzyOHMufbo

— Tracy Ann Oberman (@TracyAnnO) March 10, 2019

Ms Oberman and Ms Riley who have faced a deluge of antisemitic abuse over Twitter after criticising Jew-hate in Labour, have instructed Mr Lewis, who is Jewish, to help them take legal action against those who targeted them.

Mr Lewis represented the family of Milly Dowler in their phone hacking case against News of the World, and Jack Monroe, the food writer and journalist, in a successful libel suit against far-right media figure Katie Hopkins.

He confirmed he has made contact with the Reverend and The Makers' agent.

The band is fronted by Jon McClure, who is nicknamed "The Reverend."