A Lancashire MEP has resigned as leader of the Liberal Democrats in Europe after telling a Jewish constituent: "I hope you enjoy wallowing in your own filth."

Chris Davies last night apologised in a statement, saying he should never have used those words and that he deeply regretted causing any offence.

The constituent wrote to Mr Davies to disagree with comments the MEP had made last month.

Referring to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mr Davies had claimed that Jews, despite experiencing the Holocaust, did not care that "they have themselves become oppressors".

The constituent wrote to Mr Davies: "You make the same mistake as many others who call themselves liberals you seem to equate the situation of the Palestinian people as being exactly the same as the Jewish victims of the Holocaust."

The MEP was said to have replied in an email: "Sounds like racism to me.

"I hope you enjoy wallowing in your own filth."

Mr Davies announced he was resigning from the leader post following a meeting with party leader Sir Menzies Campbell.

In a statement, Mr Davies said: "I apologise for the language and tone of my email, which was unacceptable and without justification. I should never have used the words I did in the email.

"I have written to the lady concerned apologising."

"I deeply regret the obvious offence that my remarks will have caused.

"However much I may disagree with someone else's political views, I accept that there is absolutely no justification for making the comments I did."

Also in a statement, Sir Menzies said: "Chris Davies has rightly made a full apology for his remarks.

"I discussed this matter with him, when we agreed that the proper course for him now is to resign as leader of the Liberal Democrat MEPs.

"I deeply regret the offence his remarks have caused to the Jewish community."