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A Labour MP has been sent for 'diversity training', after using the words 'bent' and 'chinky' during a Burns Night event.

Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill MP Hugh Gaffney apologised today for reading out the poem, which he wrote, including the offensive terms.

In the poem, he joked that Scottish poet Robbie Burns wasn't 'bent'.

And afterwards he told the audience of Labour students they were lucky he was there, because he should be at home "eating a chinky."

Gaffney was elected to Parliament in last year's snap poll.

(Image: PA)

The poem read: "He started off being a farmer. But he really was such a charmer. Going for ales he did frequent. Telling the lads and lassies he was not bent.



“Like all good Scots we love the banter. Rabbie had a pal Tam O’Shanter. The story goes he had a few ales. Riding his horse into the night. Passing the cemetery he gets a fright. He nearly done a s**te.



“As the shining stars came out. Meg his horse began to shout. Tam Tam ya bam. Can’t you see what is missing? Where is my tail I can’t stop p**sing.”



One student who was in the room told Mirror Online: "His opening line was something like 'You're really lucky I'm here, I could be at home having a chinky'.



"You could feel the room freeze around you, people were turning to one another and saying 'did he just say that?'



"He said something like 'I shouldn't have said that', then got on with his speech and about five minutes made a joke about how Burn's wasn't bent.



"Afterwards people sat about and we all just were a bit stunned.



"Some people says its because of his generation, but that doesn't matter really - homophobic and racial slurs just are not on."

(Image: Daily Record)

A Scottish Labour source told Mirror Online: “He should be suspended - it is pretty much crystal clear.

demand they were gone, we can't have double standards because we also have old white men that can't keep up with the times.

"We are supposed to be the party of equality, and he has used grossly offensive language towards the Chinese and LGBT communities.

"Where does that leave them? How can expect people from these communities to put their faith in Labour again if this is how we're seen talking about them."

In a statement issued yesterday Mr Gaffney apologised for the remarks, revealing he had been called before the Labour Chief Whip and the Secretary of State for Scotland to explain himself.

He added to his statement today, saying: "Last week I attended a Labour Students Burns Supper In Edinburgh.

“At that event I used certain language relating to the Chinese and LGBT communities that was wrong and completely inappropriate.

“I want to offer my unreserved apologies for what I said; my remarks were deeply offensive and unacceptable.

“I will be taking part in equality and diversity training at the earliest opportunity. I will do everything possible to make amends with both the Chinese community and the LGBT community."