A Labour MP has stepped down as a ministerial aide to John McDonnell over anti-Semitic comments she posted on Facebook.

Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford, shared a graphic in August 2014 before she became an MP that suggested Israel should be relocated to the United States as a "solution" for conflict in Israel-Palestine. She added a comment: "problem solved" and suggested the plan could "save them some pocket money".

The image suggested Israeli people would be welcome in the US and "transportation cost" would amount to less than three years' of Washington's support for Israel's defence spending.

Shah has apologised and resigned from her role as parliamentary private secretary to the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell.

However Shah has remained a member of the House of Commons select committee that is currently investigating the rise of anti-semitism.

In a statement released by the Labour party she said: "I deeply regret the hurt I have caused by comments made on social media before I was elected as an MP.

"I made these posts at the height of the Gaza conflict in 2014, when emotions were running high around the Middle East conflict. But that is no excuse for the offence I have given, for which I unreservedly apologise.

"In recognition of that offence I have stepped down from my role as PPS to the shadow chancellor John McDonnell. I will be seeking to expand my existing engagement and dialogue with Jewish community organisations, and will be stepping up my efforts to combat all forms of racism, including antisemitism."

The scandal was revealed by the political website Guide Fawkes and comes as the latest in a line of exposures of anti-Semitic remarks made by Labour members.

A number of Conservative MPs have said Shah should be expelled as a Labour MP.