Lord Adonis has apologised for sharing a cartoon mocking Sajid Javids background.
The cartoon showed the new Home Secretary at his desk, with the caption: I just want to settle in, get organised, then deport my parents!
There was an immediate backlash after the Labour peer and former minister tweeted with many urging him to delete his post, which he has now done.
Rochdale-born Mr Javid, whose parents came to the UK from Pakistan, tweeted: Not like you Andrew Adonis. Youre better than this.
He then shared a tweet from a woman saying: Sajid I was using you as an example to a group of British Pakistani boys earlier this week whove disengaged from education to aim higher. These kind of comments do my work untold damage.
Mr Javid said: Please tell them not to be put off by the likes of Andrew Adonis. Encourage them to aim high.
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If you put in the hard work, you can achieve anything – regardless of background- in our great country.
Replying on Twitter, Lord Adonis said: Sajid, on reflection I think the cartoon is too personal and in poor taste. I have deleted it. I am sorry. Andrew.
Sajid, on reflection I think the cartoon is too personal and in poor taste. I have deleted it. I am sorry. Andrew https://t.co/dJyFfdZRH1
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) May 6, 2018
The cartoon, drawn by Neil Kerber, was printed in the pro-Remain newspaper The New European.
However, it hasnt been well-received and has been described as racist for bringing his ethnicity into criticism of his politics.
What a disgraceful thing to share – think youll regret this tweet when you realise how racist it actually is, Narinder Singh said.
The fact you even tweeted in the first place, speaks volumes.
Shouldn't even need time to reflect on something so obviously racist. https://t.co/1Dz02WsGeU
— Narinder Singh (@NSP55) May 6, 2018
A) Sajid spoke out against that particular policy B) So, this is not about *his views*, but pits his identity vs his partys actions C) This racially shames non-white Tories who may have joined to change internal racism D) Racial humiliation is racism, and undermines diversity
— Maajid – (Mājid) [maːʤɪd] ماجد (@MaajidNawaz) May 6, 2018
Several people pointed out Mr Javids father died in 2012, compounding how distasteful the cartoon has been seen as.
Pro-Brexit MEP Daniel Hannan was one of the first to pick up the controversy, saying: Very sad that Lord Adonis thinks it appropriate to tweet this disgusting cartoon.
Piers Morgan also described the cartoon as disgustingly racist.
Neil Kerbers Twitter account was no longer accessible this evening amid criticism of the cartoon.
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His website describes him as one of the UKs leading national newspaper cartoonists.
Metro.co.uk has approached him for comment.
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