Labour has suspended Sheffield Hallam MP Jared O’Mara from the party after misogynistic and homophobic remarks he had made surfaced online.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell confirmed the suspension on Tuesday, according to the BBC.

O’Mara, who unseated Nick Clegg in the 2017 general election, posted comments online between 2002 and 2004. These ranged from homophobic phrases like “fudge packing” and “driving up the Marmite motorway” to sexist jokes about Girls Aloud and “fatties”. He has already been forced off the women and equalities committee.

In a statement after the comments were circulated, O’Mara said he was “deeply ashmed”.

He added: “I was wrong to make them; I understand why they are offensive and sincerely apologise for my use of such unacceptable language.

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“I made the comments as a young man, at a particularly difficult time in my life, but that is no excuse.”

Read more: Jared O’Mara won’t be the last MP brought low by things they said growing up online