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An MP who quit the Labour party this morning to create a new Independent Group has been hit by racism row.

Angela Smith was forced to deny she was racist after comments she made about skin colour on the BBC's Politics Live.

Appearing on the programme to talk about the new grouping of MPs in the House of Comons, the MP also took part in a discussion about racism in British society.

The former Labour MP appears to say: "It's not just about being black or a funny tinge..." before breaking off and commenting "from the BAME community".

The MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge's remarks provoked outrage on Twitter .

Journalist Michael Segalov commented: "did Angela Smith on live BBC TV just now *actually*, when talking about BME people, say "it's not just about being black or a funny tinge"?!?!??!?!!?? jesus f***ing christ".

(Image: VICKIE FLORES/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Others pointed out that one of the reasons the MPs said they had left Labour was over problems of anti-Semitism.

Left wing commentator Owen Jones said: "Wow. Just wow. Listen to how Angela Smith, one of the founders of the new party, describes BME people. "

Angela Smith said in a video posted on her Twitter account: "I have seen the clip from Politics Live.

"I'm very sorry by any offence caused and I'm very upset that I misspoke so badly.

"It's not what I am. I am committed to fighting racism wherever I find it in our society."

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Labour's Rupa Huq MP said: “They claim their new Party is anti racist and modern yet in the same breath describe black, Asian and minority ethnic people as having 'a funny tinge'.

"This is, at best, the casual racism of the 70s that I thought we’d long left behind. But it will strike many as an appalling, racist comment. Is the Independent Group going to investigate?"

Ms Smith is one of seven MPs who today quit the Labour Party to sit as independents in the House of Commons.

It is the most significant split in British politics since the breakaway of the Social Democratic Party in the 1980s.

Angela Smith joined Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Mike Gapes, Gavin Shuker, Chris Leslie and Ann Coffey in the breakaway.

The historic revelation - 38 years after the 'gang of four' Labour moderates formed the short-lived SDP - came at a hastily-arranged event on "the future of British politics" after days of fevered speculation.

The MPs, who between them have more than 100 years' experience, have savaged what they branded Mr Corbyn's lack of action to stop both Brexit and anti-Semitism.

But they sparked a backlash from two of Mr Corbyn's closest allies, who branded them hypocrites and demanded they stand down to let Labour fight them in a by-election.

Luciana Berger said she was "embarrassed and ashamed" to remain the Labour party which has become "institutionally anti-Semitic", and ridden with a "culture of bullying, bigotry and intimidation".

Key figures across the Labour movement have condemned the seven MPs who quit the party.

The general secretary of the GMB union Tim Roache said: "I gritted my teeth through the Blair era, when I disagreed with the Labour government on a host of issues. But I stayed in the party because Labour in power is always better than the alternative.

"It would be unforgivable now for those who have resigned to stand against good Labour candidates, risking a Tory government."

Jeremy Corbyn issued a curt statement about what Labour called the "small group", insisting his policies had triggered the largest growth in vote share since 1945.