A Labour MP has apologised for a "significant error of judgement" after offensive social media posts resurfaced from over a decade ago.
Lauren Edwards, the recently elected MP for Rochester and Strood, said she "deeply regrets" now-deleted tweets from 2009 to 2011, where she ranted about Estonians, a halal restaurant and cleaners in Parliament. In one post, Ms Edwards wrote: "I want these f****** Estonian retards out of my flat now!"
Another post, which appeared to be responding to an account called Baroness Wrenthorpe, said: "Baroness Wrenthorpe text me from Walthamstow to say he's seen a halal Pakistani Chinese Grill place. Hope he's not suggesting we go there."
Another post said: "Are the cleaners on recess too? My desk has so many coffee rings it looks like Saturn." The Mirror has not independently verified the posts as they have been taken down.
Be the first with news from Mirror Politics
WHATSAPP GROUP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here.
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.
PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by Mirror deputy political editor Lizzy Buchan and Express political editor Sam Lister, every Thursday.
Ms Edwards said in a statement: "I have recently been made aware of a small number of tweets that I posted on Twitter from over a decade ago, which I now deeply regret. They were a significant error of judgement on my part, and I apologise wholeheartedly.
“Since becoming a local councillor and more recently an MP, I have seen forest-hand the importance of bringing communities together and working with tolerance and respect for all in our society. I pledge to use my platform to continue that important work and dedicate myself to serving all residents of Rochester and Strood.”
Conservative former minister Kelly Tolhurst, who lost her seat to Ms Edwards at the election, said she was "shocked and concerned" by the posts. Ms Tolhurst tweeted: "She had no concern airing them publicly when working for a Labour MP, only deleting them after public pressure. Holding these divisive & unpleasant views she now represents our towns & community."
Ms Edwards worked as a parliamentary researcher for Labour MPs including Barbara Keeley, Teresa Pearce and Lisa Nandy between 2008 and 2013. She also served on Medway Council, in Kent, before she was elected to Parliament. She won her seat from the Tories with a majority of 2,930.
The Labour Party declined to comment.