(Image: Facebook)

This incited fury online, with many people going to her own Facebook page to respond.

When her comment was described as "a cruel thing to say" by another Facebook user, Miss Oakes replied: "Johnson has done absolutely nothing for the UK - have you heard how the nurses and doctors have no PPE, that there were not enough ventilators, that the NHS is massively underfunded and yet it is having to deal with this virus."

A number of the responses from other Facebook users were too offensive to publish, but many called for her resignation.

A spokesperson for the Amber Valley Labour Group said: "Following comments from Cllr Oakes on social media, which we utterly condemn, the Amber Valley Labour group withdrew the whip this morning, and can now announce this now the whip has spoken to Cllr Oakes.

"This means that Cllr Oakes does not currently sit as a Labour councillor and further due process will follow.

"We wish the Prime Minister, and all who are suffering with this awful disease, a speedy recovery and send love and solidarity to them and their families.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further until due process has taken its course."

Speaking to Derbyshire Live Miss Oakes said: “I would like to apologise if I upset anyone, it was not my intention.

“I didn’t mean that there should be serious consequences from the virus.

“I am concerned about the doctors and nurses who have not got protection equipment who are getting sick and dying themselves.

“This makes me angry about the lack of help for them. It was something said in anger.

“I have every sympathy for the Prime Minister’s family who are suffering considerably at this time.

“It must be very difficult for them, and I hope his partner and the baby are well.

“I hope that he makes a recovery and does not suffer any long-term ill effects.

“I do regret it, and I should not have said it.

“I apologise unreservedly for it. We all make mistakes, including Boris Johnson, and it will not happen again.”

Councillor Kevin Buttery, Conservative group leader on Amber Valley Borough Council, said: "This is an extremely worrying time for Boris Johnson, his family, friends and in fact the nation.

"To say I find the comments of councillor Sheila Oakes distasteful and abhorrent is an understatement.

"As the local mayor, she should be acting in a non-political way as she represents the town, this is clearly not the case in these circumstances."