Labour MP Clive Lewis today apologised 'unreservedly' for telling an activist to 'get on your knees b****' at an event during Labour conference.

The backbencher admitted his language had been 'offensive and unacceptable' after facing a wave of condemnation from colleagues.

Footage of a Momentum event in Brighton last month showed Mr Lewis, often tipped as a rising star in the party, making the remark to a man on stage as the audience laughed.

Labour MP Clive Lewis today apologised 'unreservedly' for telling an activist to 'get on your knees b****' at a Labour conference event

Here is a clip from the event where @labourlewis is having his comments completely mischaracterised. pic.twitter.com/CAWCeDO7eM — Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) October 20, 2017

Former deputy leader Harriet Harman described the comments as 'inexplicable' and 'inexcusable'.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy said it was 'menacing', while Jess Phillips said she was 'appalled.

Ms Phillips wrote: 'Just seen the Clive Lewis video. Obviously I am appalled, just listened to 7 teenage girls speak up about gender equality.

'Perhaps I'll bring them to work on Monday.'

Former Cabinet minister Yvette Cooper said there was 'no excuse' for making the comment, 'whatever the context'.

Ms Creasy suggested the fact Mr Lewis had been addressing a man did not mean it was right to use 'violent sexual language'.

Tory MP Mims Davies tweeted: 'Astounding inappropriate language from @labourlewis I think @jessphillips needs to get you on an URGENT training course. This must stop.'

Equalities minister Justine Greening also waded into the row, saying the joke represented 'unacceptable attitudes'.

'Seen Clive Lewis apology - problem is not just using this sort of language, but the unacceptable attitudes behind it which need to change,' she said.

A Momentum source said Mr Lewis made the comments to a male participant on stage who was kneeling down to take the score during a game show segment at an event, not to a female audience member.

Mr Lewis tweeted this afternoon: 'I apologise unreservedly for the language I used at an event in Brighton last month. It was offensive and unacceptable.'

The MP quit the frontbench earlier this year when he rebelled against Mr Corbyn to oppose triggering Brexit negotiations.

A Labour spokesman said: ‘The party condemn the language used by Clive Lewis. It was completely unacceptable and falls far short of the standard we expect.’

Mr Lewis posted an apology on Twitter this afternoon after facing a backlash over the jibe