MP Kirsty Blackman has apologised for using suicide to make a political point against disgraced former Tory minister Owen Paterson.
The Aberdeen North SNP MP used a Twitter post to reference suicide and the lobbying row surrounding Mr Paterson, whose wife killed herself last year.
She later deleted the tweet after “some reflection”.
Mr Paterson chose to resign as an MP this week rather than face a fresh vote on a possible six-week ban, after a u-turn by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
In a statement announcing his decision to stand down, he said he did not want his wife Rose’s memory to become a “political football”.
He said the investigation had been a “major contributory factor in her death”.
Attacking Mr Paterson in the online post, Ms Blackman wrote: “Missed your bus because your wife committed suicide and so you were two minutes late to your job centre appointment? SANCTIONED.
“Lobby the government on behalf of companies who pay you £9k a month? – oh, you poor lamb, no sanction for you.”
However, more than 14 hours later, Ms Blackman issued her “unreserved apologies for tweeting it, particularly to anyone who may have been upset or offended”.
After some reflection, I have deleted a tweet I made earlier. I offer my unreserved apologies for tweeting it, particularly to anyone who may have been upset or offended. I’m sorry.
— Kirsty Blackman (@KirstySNP) November 4, 2021
Mr Paterson was found to have repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials for two companies paying him more than £100,000 a year.
The senior Tory announced his resignation on Thursday after the prime minister was forced into a retreat having prevented his immediate suspension by launching a review of the entire disciplinary system.
In a statement, Mr Paterson, who maintains he is “totally innocent”, said the last two years have been an “indescribable nightmare” for him and his family.
He added: “Far, far worse than having my honesty questioned was, of course, the suicide of my beloved and wonderful wife, Rose.
“She was everything to my children and me. We miss her everyday and the world will always be gray, sad and ultimately meaningless without her.
“The last few days have been intolerable for us. Worst of all was seeing people, including MPs, publicly mock and deride Rose’s death and belittle our pain.
“My children have therefore asked me to leave politics altogether, for my sake as well as theirs. I agree with them.
“I do not want my wife’s memory and reputation to become a political football.”
The SNP declined to comment, highlighting Ms Blackman’s apology.