BISHOP Auckland MP Helen Goodman faced a barrage of criticism, including a call for her to resign, after she sent an "insulting" tweet aimed at Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and his Chinese wife.

Labour’s Mrs Goodman received cross-party condemnation after she wrote on social media site Twitter: "If China is so great, why did Jeremy Hunt's wife come to England?"

Mrs Goodman, who has since apologised and deleted the tweet, which was sent on Sunday night, said her remarks were in response to Mr Hunt’s suggestion that tax credit cuts might encourage Britons to work as hard as people in Asia.

She later posted: "Wish to absolutely totally apologise for earlier tweet."

The comments would appear contrary to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's call for 'kinder politics'.

Sam Zair, County Councillor for Bishop Auckland Town, labelled Mrs Goodman “an embarrassment” adding that she has made “one too many mistakes” since she was elected in 2005.

He said by making the remark she had jeopardised her own petition to reinstate a midwife-led maternity and breast screening unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital.

"Jeremy Hunt will obviously have taken offence at Helen insulting his wife,” he said. “She has insulted the top man in the country for health so she can say goodbye to the petition.

“She should stand down with immediate effect.”

Councillor Alan Shield, Deputy Leader of Durham Independent Group, added: “I do not know how many times she has put her proverbial foot in it. It’s just not acceptable.”

Others shared their thoughts on social media.

James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, tweeted: “I think this one ill judged, Helen.” while Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "Terrible tweet from Helen Goodman. Never attack politicians' families. I hope she apologises. Clearly she missed the 'Kinder Politics' memo."

A Labour Party spokeswoman said: "Helen will be reminded of her responsibilities as an elected Labour politician."

It is not the first time Mrs Goodman has landed herself in hot water.

While opening Ingleton Fair last year, she praised the qualities and heritage of another Ingleton, 70 miles away in North Yorkshire.

And during the recent Labour leadership contest she was criticised for supporting Yvette Cooper over Liz Kendall because the former has children.

Explaining this latest gaffe, Mrs Goodman said: “Last week, Jeremy Hunt tried to justify the Tory tax credit cuts by saying, ‘My wife is Chinese… Are we going to be a country that is prepared to work hard in the way that Asian economies are prepared to work hard?’

“My tweet was a follow up to his remarks, not an attack on his wife. Like many other people, I was appalled by his remarks because working conditions in China are terrible; there are no free trade unions and many human rights abuses.

“I am sorry that I tactlessly offended some people and have apologised. I repeat, I am sincerely sorry for this.

“I do not think we should confuse this issue with the petition to keep services in Bishop Auckland Hospital, which is very popular among local people.”

A Bishop Auckland Constituency Labour Party spokesman added: "I'm pleased to see that Helen has rightly apologised for her earlier tweet."