An ally of Jeremy Corbyn has attempted to link the failed coup in Turkey to Labour MPs' efforts to oust the party leader.
Labour's election co-ordinator Jon Trickett was forced to apologise and withdraw a tweet in which he wrote: "Coup organised by a small group against elected leader fails because of lack of rank and file support."
Read more: Foreign Office warning as Turkey attempted coup leaves at least 90 dead
The vast majority of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) is engaged in a battle to replace Mr Corbyn after most of his shadow cabinet resigned and 172 MPs backed a no confidence motion in the party leader following the EU referendum.
But with Mr Corbyn securing a place in the new leadership contest without needing to gain MPs' nominations, his support among rank and file party members could see him remain in position.
After Labour MPs criticised Mr Trickett's post, he said: "Okay okay. Tweet deleted and withdrawn. Shouldn't tweet when feeling (ill). I apologise sincerely".
Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle tweeted: "deeply insensitive. Death toll in Turkey is about 90 with over 1,000 injured according to BBC. My constituents affected."
Whip Conor McGinn said: "Have some sense of decency Jon. Dozens were killed overnight in Turkey. Not something to joke or point-score about."
Former shadow cabinet member Michael Dugher tweeted: "As death toll rises to 90, I'm sure @jon_trickett will reflect & realise this comparison is not clever & not funny."
Mr Trickett's comments came as leadership candidate Angela Eagle warned that Labour risks becoming the "new nasty party".
Ms Eagle borrowed Theresa May's famous 2002 description of the Conservatives as she called for action from the Labour leadership on "abuse, misogyny, homophobia (and) anti-Semitism" affecting the party.
Read more: Kevin McKenna: Jeremy Corbyn won't be allowed to spoil party of the rich and powerful
Her call came shortly after Labour's National Executive Committee suspended all local party meetings amid reports of intimidation, bullying and threatening behaviour, and just days after a brick was thrown through her own constituency office window in Wallasey on Merseyside.
The party has suspended its constituency party in Brighton and Hove and annulled the results of a recent election following accusations of abusive behaviour, an improper ballot and entryism by far-left activists.
Turning Jeremy Corbyn's "kinder politics" catchphrase against him, Ms Eagle said that Labour needed "a kinder politics in reality" and must not end up "in the gutter".
The former shadow business secretary, who quit the shadow cabinet to launch her challenge to Mr Corbyn, asked party members at a social event in Wolverhampton: "What attracted you to the Labour Party in the first place? I'm guessing it didn't involve abuse, misogyny, homophobia, anti-Semitism and the opportunity to picket Labour events
Read more: Turkey in state of chaos as night of violence erupts as country battles coup bid
"The Labour Party can't become the new nasty party for women, or indeed for anyone else. It's a place where everyone should play a part. Men and women. Old and young. Black and white. Gay and straight ... We need a kinder politics in reality, which is why I've called on the leadership to not just call out such behaviour but to take action too.
"I've launched a campaign called 'Keep It Comradely'. We should be proud of the Labour movement and what we have achieved. I don't want Labour in the gutter. I want it in power."
Her comments came as her rival challenger for the Labour leadership, Owen Smith, won the backing of one of Mr Corbyn's most loyal MPs.
Cardiff Central MP Jo Stevens was one of 40 MPs who refused to back the no confidence motion in Mr Corbyn. But she has now told supporters she will back Mr Smith in the leadership contest.
Mr Corbyn has refused to step aside. He retains the support of Labour's big union backers and earlier this week won the right to feature on the leadership ballot paper without having to clear the hurdle of collecting nominations from 51 MPs or MEPs.
But shadow Wales secretary Paul Flynn told Politics Home magazine his leadership may have "passed the tipping point".
The Labour Party declined to comment on the suspension of its Brighton and Hove branch, saying only: "We do not comment on private meetings or ongoing investigations."
A spokesman added: "No abuse of any kind by Labour Party members or supporters is tolerated. Any complaints of bullying or intimidation and allegations of misconduct are always taken very seriously.
"We would encourage anyone who has been the subject of threats to inform the party and contact the police."
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