Conservative MPP Randy Hillier has apologized for a tweet he shared Friday that described a hijab-clad Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath as "dehumanized."

"Without reservation I regret my tweets," Hillier tweeted late Saturday about the retweet. "Being offensive is not my nature and I'm sorry."

Without reservation I regret my tweets on Friday night, being offensive is not my nature and I'm Sorry. Posts have been deleted.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/onpoli?src=hash">#onpoli</a> —@randyhillier

The original tweet, posted by Twitter user Todd Banks, showed Horwath barefoot, wearing an orange-coloured hijab, seated across from Hamilton imam Ayman Al-Taher. The two met in September a week after an arson attack at the Ibrahim Jame mosque.

Banks, who in his Twitter profile claims there is a "moron in the Prime Minister's office + criminal gang in charge of Ontario," writes in the tweet: "Meet Ontario NDP leader @AndreaHorwath, bare foot and dehumanized in head gear, as she submits to the will of the Muslim male."

"That's quite the image," wrote the justice critic for Ontario's Progressive Conservative party, retweeting Banks's post.

The original tweet, posted by Twitter user Todd Banks, showed Horwath bare-foot, donning an orange-coloured hijab, seated across from Imam Ayman Al-Taher in September. (CBC)

But not long after, Hillier deleted his retweet. When prompted on Twitter to explain his comments, he initially responded retweets are not endorsements.

<a href="https://twitter.com/aradwanski">@aradwanski</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNews">@CBCNews</a> retweets are neither recognition of support nor opposition. It is quite the image and wanted to share. —@randyhillier

That prompted backlash from NDP Deputy Leader Jagmeet Singh, who called Hillier's tweet "bigoted" and "divisive."

We must denounce <a href="https://twitter.com/randyhillier">@randyhillier</a>'s Tweet for what it is, bigoted & divisive. We need our leaders to bring people together, not divide us. <a href="https://t.co/YunCmZBh6h">https://t.co/YunCmZBh6h</a> —@theJagmeetSingh

During her visit to the mosque, Horwath announced she would be introducing a private member's bill that would designate October Islamic heritage month in the province.

Asked to comment on Hillier's post, a representative for Horwath told CBC News the NDP would leave comment to the MPP and his party.

On Saturday evening, Horwath was awarded a diversity and inclusion award at the Anatolia Islamic Centre in Mississauga for her work on the bill, which received royal assent earlier this month.