Thousands of people have called for a pro-rape campaigner to be banned from promoting his views in Scotland.

Daryush Valizade, known as Roosh V, is a blogger who writes guidebooks for sex tourists and has argued for rape to be legalised on private property.

Valizade has been branded "hateful and misogynistic" by human rights groups and hosts a website that "strongly discourages" women and homosexual men from commenting.

In a blog post in 2015, he wrote: "I propose that we make the violent taking of a woman not punishable by law when done off public grounds. If rape becomes legal under my proposal, a girl will protect her body in the same manner that she protects her purse and smartphone.

"If rape becomes legal, a girl will not enter an impaired state of mind where she can't resist being dragged off to a bedroom with a man who she is unsure of.

"If rape becomes legal, she will never be unchaperoned with a man she doesn't want to sleep with. After several months of advertising this law throughout the land, rape would be virtually eliminated on the first day it is applied.

"Bad encounters are sure to occur but these can be learning experiences for the poorly trained woman so she can better identify in the future the type of good man who will treat her like the delicate flower that she believes she is."

The 36-year-old American is now planning to host a series of "international meet-ups" in cities including Edinburgh and Glasgow.

According to Valizade's website, only heterosexual men will be allowed at the meetings, the locations of which will remain secret until 8pm on Saturday evening.

Campaigners say Valizade's views constitute hate speech and have called for the Scottish Government to ban the meetings.

A petition hosted on website 38Degrees had more than 13,000 signatures on Monday afternoon and campaigners are planning to demonstrate at gathering points for the meet-ups at George Square in Glasgow and the Grassmarket in Edinburgh.

It reads: "RooshV, a militant pro-rape pick-up artist is holding gatherings for his followers in Glasgow and Edinburgh. This makes our cities unsafe for at least half the population. Promoting rape is hate speech, and should be treated as such."

Activist and author Vonny Moyes said on Facebook: "Roosh V is a misogynist. He hates women and has made a lucrative career out of it.

"This Saturday he's planning to bring his anti-women agenda to Glasgow and Edinburgh. We cannot allow this to happen.

"It's a threat not only to women but to men who may find answers to their own problems in his venomous dogma. He sees women as objects to be won through manipulation and supports the legalisation of rape.

"Join us in standing up to hatred. Join us to show that women are not submissive, frightened or controlled by threats. Join us, and show that Scotland stands for equality."