An MP sparked a backlash after posting a "deeply offensive" tweet suggesting the Olympics were won by the British Empire.
Conservative MP Heather Wheeler tweeted a picture with a medals table split between the “British Empire” with the most medals, followed by “Rest of World” and “EU post-Brexit”.
The South Derbyshire MP said it was a “tongue and cheek” response to graphics showing the total number of medals won by the European Union.
But the post has been criticised for being "deeply offensive" and “ignorant”.
The Labour MP for Tottenham, David Lammy, tweeted: "Unbelievable. So deeply offensive to so many people and their ancestors. Really hope Heather Wheeler apologises."
Chris Burton wrote: "@HeatherWheeler you really are quite ignorant of History, your country and.....well, everything it would seem!"
Ifan Morgan Jones said: "@HeatherWheeler Is this a joke?"
But some have jumped to Ms Wheeler's defence, arguing that it was a light-hearted comment.
The MP, who was a member of the Leave campaign leading up to the referendum, told the BBC the Tweet was “clearly a joke”.
She added: “My tweet says congratulations to Team GB and the Commonwealth."
The Standard has approached Ms Wheeler for further comment.
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