Brexit campaigner says British Empire won the Olympics

A British MP’s attempt at humour has blown up royally after she suggested the British Empire was the true victor at the Olympics.

Brexit campaigner Heather Wheeler posted online a graphic titled "Empire goes for gold", where she combined all of the Commonwealth nations' Olympics efforts.

Ms Wheeler also commented, “Now for the Trade Agreements” in an effort to spin athletic achievement into a Brexit debate with the European Union.

The tweet was quickly labelled “deeply insensitive to so many people and their ancestors” by Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy.

Ms Wheeler was immediately hit with a barrage of contempt on social media for her remarks.

In comments made to the BBC, Ms Wheeler said it was intended as a joke in response to a similar tally which showed the EU’s combined medal tally.

“My tweet says congratulations to Team GB and the Commonwealth," she said.

Great Britain finished second in the official Olympics tally with 27 gold medals.