MP Andrew Rosindell has removed a far-right organisation’s “honey trap” post that posed as a poppy appeal from his Facebook.

Romford Recorder: Proud owner: Andrew Rosindell with Staffie BusterProud owner: Andrew Rosindell with Staffie Buster (Image: Archant)

Concerned commenters pointed out that the post shared by the Romford MP, which said “please share if you respect the poppy and everything that it stands for”, was in fact a message from the far-right party Britain First.

Jenny Howe wrote: “Andrew, you have put up a Britain First poster which is offensive to most people. Not the poppies, but the organisation.

“Do you really want to be associated with that group? I certainly do not want it on my Facebook wall.”

Mr Rosindell’s spokesman said that he did not realise the post was affiliated with the group, which he does not support.

A spokesman for the Romford MP said: “Andrew was very keen to show his support for the poppy appeal and as such used social media to share a number of photographs from various organisations.

“When it was brought to our attention that one of these generic photographs originated from Britain First, an organisation that Mr Rosindell does not endorse, it was removed immediately.”

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Romford, Sam Gould, condemned Britain First’s tactics.

He said: “Through the politics of hate, Britain First seek to divide us in a week where we have all come together to remember those who bravely gave their lives for us.

“Our MP should not be sharing posts from this vile organisation on his Facebook page.”

Britain First has used such social media tactics, often described as honey traps as they trick the user into sharing them, to achieve more “likes” than any other British political party.

The party has more than 560,000 likes on Facebook whereas Mr Rosindell’s Conservatives has less than 310,000.

Britain First has previously tapped into other popular issues including animal cruelty and the death of actress Linda Bellingham.

This is not the first Facebook gaffe Mr Rosindell has been involved in. He removed an old photo of him grinning with Rolf Harris after numerous complaints when the entertainer was convicted of sex attacks.