Nicola Mendelsohn, Facebook's vice-president for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, is at the centre of attempts by the social media giant to defend its decision to block access to news media in Australia -  insisting the move was taken with "a heavy heart".

The active Finchley United Synagogue member said the decision – which has led to Facebook being called  a "school yard bully" running a "bulldozer" – was  “not something we've done lightly and it was in response to Australia's new media bargaining law.”

Australians woke up on Thursday to find they could not share or view any domestic and international news content on Facebook ahead of a new law which would force the platform to pay the organisations producing that content.

But Mrs Mendelsohn told Sky News: "We have taken the decision - and it's been one with a really heavy heart that we've done - to stop news outlets, publishers, and also people in Australia from posting or sharing any news or any news-related content on Facebook.

"It's not something we've done lightly and it was in response to Australia's new media bargaining law. At the heart of this - and the reason why - is we think there's a real misunderstanding about how our platform actually operates and how we work with news publishers.

"It's different to the way other platforms, other technology platforms work with publishers and put out news.

"Here's the difference, up until this week news publishers - not just in Australia but around the world - they have the choice if they want to post news on Facebook.

"The reason they do that is they can get their stories out to a wider group of people, they're able to sell more subscriptions as a result, and help to grow their business."

Julian Knight MP, who chairs parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, later said: "It is one of the most idiotic but also deeply disturbing corporate moves of our lifetimes.

"I'm almost speechless which is quite rare for a politician.

"Australia's democratically elected government is democratically elected. And they have the right to make laws and legislation. And it's, it's really disrespecting democracy to act in this fashion."