Wales' former top politician has come under fire for likening Brexiteers to Nazis in an astonishing Facebook post she defiantly praised as a 'powerful image'.

Leanne Wood - the former leader of Plaid Cymru who wants Welsh independence - shared a controversial cartoon that showed a figure cloaked in an EU flag arm wrestling with a swastika over a ballot box.

She posted the sketch on social media as the European Parliament election results came in.

But her followers were quick to slam the post as 'idiotic', 'childish' and 'totally inappropriate' - and urged the politician to delete it.

Leanne Wood served as the leader of Plaid Cymru between March 2012 and September 2018.

Leanne Wood posted this image of the EU arm wrestling with a swastika as the European election results came in

Ms Wood, Plaid leader for six years, said the EU was battling the far right calling the bloc outward looking and progressive

Ms Wood's party also enjoyed a good night in the elections, overtaking Labour in Wales

She was the first female leader of the party and continues to work as a member of the National Assembly (AM) for Rhondda.

Defending the criticism surrounding her cartoon, the staunch Remainer wrote: 'Some very interesting and varied responses to this image. Powerful image, isn't it? For anyone who is interested in my interpretation, I see it as a comment on the battle of values that we are engaged in.

'Pro European, outward looking, progressive, promoting of equality versus the parties of the far right across the EU which are expected to do very well tonight.'

But many refused to accept her explanation.

Michelle Evans wrote: 'What an idiotic post. I'm actually a Remainer but this is just offensive.

'People are entitled to their opinion and just because it differs to yours doesn't make them a Nazi.

'The only thing this post achieves is ensuring a lot of people don't vote Plaid again.'

Similarly, Alan Cairncross said: 'Aw Leanne this post really let me down.

'I am a massive Remainer and my country voted massively to remain as opposed to England and Wales.

'This post is not constructive at all and tags everyone who voted leave as a 'Nazi' which is not right.

'What use is that to building common ground. Please delete.'

Her Facebook followers said they felt upset and let down by her use of the swastika

Laura Scarrott said: 'I find it a bit worrying that the Swastika is being casually used in any picture, to be honest.'

Harrison Graham Meyers noted: 'And here's why people can't connect with Remainers.

'There are so many hardworking everyday people who support Brexit, people who are as far away from Nazism as can be.

'People who just want the best for their communities, and this is how the left is portraying them?'

And Mark Taylor vehemently ranted: 'Seriously? Using a Swastika to depict anybody that isnt PRO-EU?

'You have some serious mental issues.

'I'm a valley boy born and bred from one of the most devastated towns in Blaneau Gwent, where 60+ per cent voted to leave the EU.

'Doesn't that tell you that there is something drastically wrong with your beloved paymasters?

'Instead of looking after your own interests, ask yourself why such a high percentage voted to leave.'

Andrew Goodwill said: 'You really are not fit to be a politician.'

Meanwhile, Stuart Brown said: 'Shocking childish pic from someone who is representing Wales.'

Not all the responses were negative, with some expressing their support for the politician.

David Eifion Williams wrote: 'Excellent image Leanne, expresses so much.'

John Jenkins said: 'Sadly true!'

And Peter Sansom simply said: 'Painfully apt.'

A spokesperson for Leanne Wood AM said: 'Leanne shared the cartoon because she sees it as a comment on the battle of values that face many countries in Europe.

'On the one hand there is a Pro-European, outward looking, progressive, promoting of equality versus the parties of the far right across the EU which have been on the rise.

'Just look at the results over the weekend in Italy and France to see the dangers that exist.

'Leanne is determined to keep on drawing attention to the rise of the far right across Europe due to the severe dangers it poses for society and equality.'