A man who posted a Twitter message about 'confronting a Muslim woman' over the Brussels terror attacks has been arrested by British police.

Matthew Doyle is being questioned on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after the purported encounter in Croydon, south London.

A message posted on his Twitter page on Wednesday morning said: "I confronted a Muslim woman yesterday in Croydon. I asked her to explain Brussels. She said 'Nothing to do with me'. A mealy mouthed reply".

The tweet went viral and was widely mocked on Twitter, with many users choosing to parody it.

It has since been deleted.

Enam Haque wrote: "I confronted a ferret and asked him to explain Donald Trump's hair. He said 'nothing to do with me'. A mealy mouthed response".

Joe Heenan wrote: "I confronted my 5 yr old son yesterday. I asked him to explain the mortgage rates. He said 'I dunno, I like Batman'. A mealy mouthed reply".

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said on Wednesday: "We have arrested a 46-year-old man on suspicion of inciting racial hatred on social media".

"He was arrested tonight at an address in Croydon and remains in custody at a south London police station".

The Brussels attacks at an airport and Metro station by three suicide bombers killed more than 30 people.

Islamic State has claimed it was behind the bombings.