A conservative councillor has apologized for a racist tweet she put up about football pundit Ian Wright for showing solidarity for Gary Lineker in the row with BBC.

In the now deleted tweet, Alexis McEvoy described the ex-England international as a “typical black hypocrite” complete with a devil’s face emoji.

In her apology statement following the backlash to her offensive tweet, the New Forest district councillor for Fawley, Blackfield & Langley said she is “deeply sorry.”

“I am aware that a tweet I sent, and then deleted, has caused offence.  

“I did not mean to do so and I am deeply sorry.  

“I find racism in any form abhorrent, I have therefore reported myself to the Monitoring Officer at both Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council.

“I have suspended myself from both the Conservative Groups at New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council pending investigations.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “The authority takes complaints against members very seriously and any complaint about this matter will be dealt with in accordance with the council’s arrangements for dealing with complaints against members.”