Former North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has come under fire for a tweet following the death of MP Sir David Amess.

Mr Jones’ tweet blamed the government for the death.

He said: “Unfortunately, this is what happens when you have a government that divides and rules and sows hate, fear and division. Someone somewhere will respond violently.”

Mr Jones later apologised and deleted the tweet, saying: “I wish to apologise for my earlier tweet, it was untimely and insensitive. What I was trying to express was concern about the toxic nature of our political discourse and the tragic consequences of such toxicity.”

MP Fay Jones said Mr Jones was “out of line”.

“I appreciate your apology,” she said.

“You were absolutely out of line. You have a long history of attacking and disrespecting those who disagree with you. You are not fit for public office.”

MP Sir David Amess died yesterday. He was stabbed multiple times at his constituency surgery in Essex.

Police, who arrested a man at the scene, are treating the killing as a terrorist incident.