A Tory councillor has apologised for a tweet sent from his account which appeared to mock the Liverpool terror attack.
Paul Nickerson says the ‘political tweet’ sent from his account on Monday has been upsetting for some people.
Mr Nickerson - a Conservative councillor in East Riding, in Yorkshire - included an image of the taxi on fire after the explosion that occurred outside Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday (November 14).
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An image of former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, had been superimposed and made to appear to be walking towards the flaming wreckage of the car.
The image received criticism online and Coun Nickerson has issued an apology.
"I would like to apologies for a political tweet sent from my account yesterday which has been upsetting for some people and I unreservedly apologise to all concerned," he tweeted.
Approached by Hull Live, Coun Nickerson today apologised for the posts claiming that it was not something authorised by himself and describing it as an attempt at political banter and a prank gone wrong.
He said he had subsequently received death threats.
Both the original post and a number of subsequent comments published to Twitter last night have since been deleted.
The conservative councillor has been condemned by Labour representatives in Hull and East Yorkshire. Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy wrote: "Using a horrific terrorist incident to have a go at a politician he doesn’t like is a new low."
Hull East MP Karl Turner said: "This is grotesque. Anybody would be utterly disgusted that any elected member of any political party would make light of a terror attack on mainland Britain on the very day that our Home Secretary Priti Patel has had to raise the threat level. It must be investigated immediately."
Writer and journalist Owen Jones described the mocked up picture as 'completely vile' and described the councillor’s apology as 'pathetic.'
Speaking to Hull Live this morning, Coun Nickerson apologised for the post saying: "I just want to say I apologise unreservedly to any one that has taken offence to the post.
"Political banter is political banter but I sincerely apologise for those posts and I just want people to know that it wasn't me that sent them.
"It was a prank gone wrong, a couple of friends taking things too far but I do take responsibility for it still."
In a statement he said: "I can to confirm the account was compromised, and new security has been put in place.
"I also want to apologise to anyone who is offended by that content – we should all work closely for a decent and respectful dialogue and cross party approach to solving peoples issues which if you review my online output you will see I try to consistently do."
Cllr Nickerson also confirmed to Hull Live that he has received a number of death threats from Twitter users, he said: "I would like to say that it is just like Twitter that I'm getting people saying I should apologise to Jeremy Corbyn but then sending me death threats and other offensive messages.
"Getting death threats is absolutely not acceptable at any time."
He has shared a number of the offending messages with Hull Live which do include death threats and offensive language.
Police have now confirmed that the man who set off the explosive device inside a taxi and died at the scene is Emad Al Swealmeen.
Al Swealmeen, 32, reportedly died instantly.
The taxi driver, named as David Perry, leapt from the vehicle just seconds after the blast.
Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Investigators are focusing efforts on Rutland Avenue, in south Liverpool, where Emad Al Swealmeen booked the taxi from on Sunday and where 'significant items' have been found.
