Northern Ireland committee head apologises for ‘offence’ caused by loyalist bonfire tweet

The tweet was criticised by members of the loyalist community and was deleted soon afterwards, before Mr Hoare issued an apology

A bonfire under construction in Craigyhill, Larne, Northern Ireland, as building continues on loyalist bonfires, which are traditionally lit on the “Eleventh night” to usher in the Twelfth commemorations. Picture date: PA

The chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has apologised “offence” caused by a tweet about loyalist bonfires.

Senior Conservative MP Simon Hoare has since deleted the post on Twitter that said: “Who knew William of Orange arrived in Ireland with hundreds of wooden pallets hence the traditional pallet burning fiesta began.”