A former sex worker who led a successful challenge of prostitution laws in Canada has threatened to name politicians who hire prostitutes.

It comes after Terri-Jean Bedford was kicked out of a Canadian Senate hearing.

Ms Bedford was among those testifying to a committee considering a bill that aims to largely eliminate the sex trade by prosecuting the buyers of sex.

The Globe and Mail reports that she urged senators to "be quiet" and to "ask me something important" while tapping a riding crop against her palm.

She said many "pillars of the community - often business leaders, professionals, politicians" hire sex workers, and later threatened to reveal information implicating some of them.

"Because I have more information and more proof on politicians in this country than you can shake a stick at. I promise," she added.

The Canadian government has signalled it intends to pass the bill by December.