Labour MP sorry for accusing Jewish News journalist of ‘killing Gazan children’

A Labour Party whip has “unreservedly apologised” over a tweet accusing a Jewish News reporter of “killing children” in Gaza.

Graham Jones made the remarks during a Twitter exchange with news editor Justin Cohen after the MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn told his followers: “The killing in Israel/Gaza/West Bank is not a civil war or an act of defence. It is a series of murders.”

When Cohen responded that Israel takes steps to avoid civilian casualties, the politician responded: “Murder is murder. There’s no justification on either side. You’ve lost any sense of humanity & justice. You’re killing children.”

The tweet has now been removed after the issue was brought to the attention of his party. “I unreservedly apologise to Justin Cohen. I have now deleted this tweet,” he said in a statement.