Jeremy Corbyn has apologised after paying tribute to a police officer in Northern Ireland he mistakenly believed to have been shot dead.

Speaking in the Commons earlier on Wednesday, the Labour leader offered his "condolences" to the officer's family on behalf "of the whole House."

The officer, who was shot three times outside a petrol station in Belfast over the weekend, was left seriously injured - but has since been reported to be "in good spirits."

Police have made an arrest over the shooting, believed to have been carried out by dissident republicans.

Theresa May opened the weekly session of Prime Minister's Questions by "sending out thoughts to the police officer who was shot".

Mr Corbyn later said: "I join the Prime Minister in expressing condolences, I'm sure of the whole House, to the family of the police officer who lost his life over the weekend in Northern Ireland."

In a letter addressed to Chief Constable Hamilton on Wednesday evening, Mr Corbyn offered his "sincere apologies" and wished a "speedy recovery" to the officer concerned.

He wrote: "I wanted to immediately offer my most sincere apologies that I mistakenly stated that a policeman had been killed on Sunday.

"I would be most grateful if you could pass on these apologies to the officer involved, to whom I wish a full and speedy recovery, and to his family."

The letter, addressed to Chief Constable Hamilton. Credit: Jeremy Corbyn

After Mr Corbyn's gaffe, police in Northern Ireland demanded the Labour leader apologise.

Police Federation for Northern Ireland Chairman Mark Lindsay said: "I'm appalled that the leader of Her Majesty's Opposition should get this so badly wrong on the floor of the House of Commons.

"It was a jaw-dropping gaffe and he should immediately apologise to the officer and his family.

"Mr Corbyn was either poorly briefed by his staff or he's that much out of touch with what is happening."