Jaime Bennington, the son of late Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington, has criticised the band for replacing his father with musician Emily Armstrong.

In an Instagram post, Jaime claimed the band's founder, Mike Shinoda, had "quietly erased my father's life and legacy in real time" by introducing Linkin Park's new line-up last week.

Shinoda has said he knows "many people will take time to wrap their heads around" the change, and "if people are respectfully not there yet, I'm totally fine with that".

Jaime Bennington also referenced accusations about Armstrong's ties to Scientology, and her alleged support of actor Danny Masterson during his 2020 rape trial.

Armstrong previously issued a statement distancing herself from the actor, saying she had not spoken to him since a preliminary hearing revealed "unimaginable details" of his crimes. He was later found guilty.

On Instagram, Jaime Bennington said fans were "having a hard time wrapping their heads" around her recruitment.

He said the band had "failed to address the concerns of their diverse fan base" after the allegations emerged, and said they had "betrayed the trust" of their followers.

In a long series of video posts, Bennington also accused Shinoda of blocking him on social media, and said the band had failed to inform him of their reunion.

"They didn't come to me with this announcement, they didn’t ask me how I felt, they didn’t offer me a ticket," he said.

Armstrong was previously known as the frontwoman of LA rock band Dead Sara.

She made her live debut with Linkin Park at a performance on Thursday alongside new drummer Colin Brittain.

The concert coincided with news of the band's first new music since Bennington's death from suicide in 2017; and a world tour.

Almost immediately, however, Armstrong was questioned over her support of Masterson.

In an Instagram post, Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala wrote: "Do your fans know about your friend Danny Masterson? Your rapist friend."

The singer's wife Chrissie Carnell-Bixler was one of several women who accused Masterson of sexual assault.

The actor, best known for his role in That 70s Show, was cleared of those allegations, but was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison last September after being found guilty of two other charges of rape.