YouTube has removed the controversial video for M.I.A’s new song ‘Born Free’.

The nine-minute video, which debuted at the weekend, features graphic scenes of execution and sex.

It was originally freely available on the video-sharing website, but has since been taken down.

In a statement, YouTube said they reserved the right to remove any video if a complaint had been received from a user.

“On YouTube the rules prohibit content like pornography or gratuitous violence,” a spokesperson told BBC Newsbeat.

"If the content breaks our terms then we remove it and if a user repeatedly breaks the rules we disable their account."

The video can still be seen in full on M.I.A’s official website.

As previously reported, the singer unveiled the tracklisting for her as-yet-untitled new album in a post on Twitter yesterday.

(by Jason Gregory)