Labour Party distances itself from “not funny” Mitchell tweet

Following Austin Mitchell’s controversial tweet this morning (which Mark blogged about earlier), the Labour Party have moved to distance themselves from it. A Labour source told LabourList this afternoon:

“Austin Mitchell has made clear the tweet was a joke not a serious comment. It is not funny, understandably people find it offensive, and it is not the view of the Labour Party.”

Mitchell hasn’t apologised, and claimed that the tweet was “irony”.

Update: Mitchell says in his latest tweet that the Labour Press Office have asked him to apologise, saying:

“Wife,three daughters,one granddaughter and Labour press office all demand that I withdraw my tweet.No chance of front bench now”

He still hasn’t apologised though…or withdrawn the tweet for that matter…