A Labour MP has apologised for comments he made about the party's handling of anti-Semitism amid calls for him to be suspended.

Chris Williamson said he had been wrong to suggest the party had "given too much ground" and been "too apologetic" in the face of criticism.

He said he "regretted his choice of words" and Labour "can never be too apologetic about racism in our ranks".

Senior figures like deputy leader Tom Watson and Ed Miliband have called for action.

Amid growing anger over his conduct, Mr Williamson is reported to have held a meeting with aides of Jeremy Corbyn's shortly before Prime Minister's Questions began at midday.

Minutes later, he issued a statement on Twitter apologising, saying he never meant to downplay the "pernicious and cancerous" nature of anti-Semitism.

"I deeply regret and apologise for my recent choice of words," he wrote. "I was trying to suggest how much the party has done to tackle anti-Semitism.

"Our movement can never be too apologetic about racism in our ranks. While it is true there have been very few cases of anti-Semitism in Labour, it is also true that those few are too many."

Mr Williamson said he would be more "considered" in his language in future and said he wanted to be "an ally" in the fight against anti-Semitism.

At PMQs, Theresa May said Labour's lack of action "summed up" the state of the opposition.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been among those to argue there were grounds for disciplinary action.

He told the Emma Barnett show on BBC Radio 5 Live that Labour needed to get its house in order through "swift, robust action" against offenders.

Veteran Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge said "nothing less" than suspending the MP would do, while ex-leader Ed Miliband suggested it was a "test" for the party about how serious it was about dealing with the issue of anti-Semitism within its ranks.

Labour has struggled to contain a long-running row over claims of anti-Semitism - hostility or prejudice directed against Jewish people - within its ranks. Nine MPs quit the party last week, criticising the leadership's handling of the issue.

In footage published by the Yorkshire Post, Mr Williamson, who is a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, told activists Labour was being "demonised as a racist, bigoted party".

"I have got to say I think our party's response has been partly responsible for that because in my opinion… we have backed off far too much, we have given too much ground, we have been too apologetic."

Amid applause from the audience, he went on to say: "We've done more to address the scourge of anti-Semitism than any political party."

Anger from Labour MPs

The remarks prompted anger across the party, with a number of MPs, including Stephen Doughty, Wes Streeting and Neil Coyle, calling for action to be taken against their colleague.

Labour said the remarks were indefensible and the MP, who is regarded as an ally of leader Jeremy Corbyn, should quickly apologise.

Who is Chris Williamson?

• The 62-year old is one of the most outspoken MPs on the left of the party
• A former bricklayer and social worker, he was a councillor before entering Parliament
• Led Derby Council twice in the 2000s, where he formed a coalition with the Tories
• Elected as MP for Derby North in 2010
• Lost the seat in 2015 but won it back two years later
• Has called on critics of Jeremy Corbyn to be de-selected

"These comments are deeply offensive and inappropriate and fall below the standards we expect of MPs," a party spokesman said.

"Downplaying the problem of anti-Semitism makes it harder for us to tackle it. Chris Williamson should apologise immediately and withdraw his remarks."

The GMB's general secretary Tim Roache tweeted that "it was time for him to go".

On Tuesday, Labour officials criticised Mr Williamson for booking a room in Parliament for a screening of a film about anti-Semitism and the activist Jackie Walker.

Ms Walker was suspended by Labour over allegedly anti-Semitic comments in 2016, and the documentary, Witch Hunt, looks at those and other allegations within the party.

The move prompted by a complaint by Mr Watson to the party's chief whip and general secretary.

Earlier this month, the Labour Party's general secretary, Jennie Formby, said the party had received 673 complaints in 10 months alleging acts of anti-Semitism by its members.