A Tory councillor has been suspended after responding to news of a memorial fund set up after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed by saying “I’ve just donated the steam off my p***”.

Dominic Peacock, a Conservative Party councillor for East Riding who is campaigning for the UK to leave the EU, deleted the comment within moments of posting it on Facebook along with a news story about the fund.

He subsequently issued an "unreserved apology" and told The Independent he was "tired and emotional".

Stephen Parnaby, a leader of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said in a statement: "Following inappropriate and offensive comments made on social media relating to the sad and tragic death of Jo Cox MP, I have suspended Cllr Dominic Peacock from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Conservative Group with immediate effect.

"I shall be reporting this to a meeting of the full Group and my recommendation will be that he be expelled.

"All people in public life, irrespective of politics should be united in condemning the fatal and dreadful attack on Jo Cox. This is not the time for inappropriate remarks, however intended, and I will not tolerate them in my Group, and residents should expect their elected representatives to act in an appropriate and compassionate way."

Responding to the comments, which were posted in a pro-Leave Facebook group, Chevan Ilangaratne, who describes himself as a Legal Fellow at the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre, called for Mr Peacock to resign.

Mr Ilangaratne wrote: "What an utterly odious and inappropriate comment to make following what was an absolute tragedy for mankind last week.

(Facebook (Facebook)

"The attack was a bitter attack on democracy - the very means by which you got elected a councillor. When I get a minute, I shall be writing to you formally to demand your immediate resignation.

"Anything short of stepping down will not even begin to satisfy the level of contrition needed for this truly disgraceful remark. You are not fit for public office in any capacity. Beverley deserves better, Britain deserves better."

Mr Peacock told The Independent he deleted the post as soon as he became aware of its potential for offence and that he offered an “unreserved apology”.

"I shouldn’t have used those words or that language," he said.

"What I should have explained was that there was no way I would donate to the White Helmets.

"Clearly, I shouldn’t have put out a statement that was so sharp. I should have thought. I think the words are ‘tired and emotional’.

Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes and candles are placed by a picture of slain Labour MP Jo Cox at a vigil in Parliament square in London AFP Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes to Labour Party MP Jo Cox are placed on her houseboat in Wapping in London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures The Union flag at half-mast on top of Portcullis House in London after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (2R) and deputy leader Tom Watson (L) light candles as they attend a vigil to slain Labour MP Jo Cox in Parliament square in London AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson (rear) arrive to leave tributes at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People leave St Peter's Church after a vigil in memory of Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flowers left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminste, following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People react as they look at tributes left for Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A man writes a message at Parliament Square PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People stop to look at tributes left at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman arrives to lay flowers at a statue to Joseph Priestly in Birstall near to the scene where Labour MP Jo Cox was shot AFP/Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Tributes at Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A woman places candles in tribute to Labour Party MP Jo Cox REUTERS Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A member of the public signs a memorial for British MP Jo Cox in Parliament Square, London EPA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People sign messages of condolence for MP Jo Cox during a vigil in Parliament Square in London Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Flags at half mast outside Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in the street outside her constituency advice surgery in Birstall PA Jo Cox tributes - in pictures People arrive in Market Square with floral tributes after the death of Jo Co Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are placed in Market Square next to the statue of Joseph Priestley following the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures Floral tributes are brought to the scene after the death of Jo Cox Getty Images Jo Cox tributes - in pictures A police officer carries bunches of flowers at the scene of the shooting of Labour MP Jo Cox in Birstall REUTERS

"I put it in a flippant way and I can see why people think it’s appalling.

"I shouldn’t have done it and I issue an unreserved apology to anyone who I have hurt or offended."

Jo Cox ‘died for her political views’, says husband Brendan Cox

Thomas Mair, aged 52, is accused of Ms Cox's killing in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday.

He appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.

The GoFundMe page set up by Mrs Cox's friends in "celebration and memory" of her work currently stands at over £1 million, after more than 32,500 people donated over three days.