A TOWN mayor has been forced to apologise for saying Boris Johnson “deserves” to be in hospital battling coronavirus.

The mayor of Heanor in Derbyshire Sheila Oakes made the comments on Facebook while responding to a post calling for prayers for the Prime Minister.

Johnson has been suffering from coronavirus symptoms and was admitted to hospital on Monday night.

Oakes wrote: "Sorry, he completely deserves this and he is one of the worst PM's we've ever had."

READ MORE: Conservative commentator's Johnson tweet sees her hypocrisy exposed

The mayor will no longer represent Labour on the council after the Amber Valley Labour Group withdrew the whip and said her conduct would be investigated following her “unacceptable behaviour”.

The National: Sheila OakesSheila Oakes

Oakes apologised for her comments and “for upsetting people and saying it”.

She told the BBC: "I didn't think what I said would upset so many people. It came across as not a nice thing to say.

"I'm concerned about nurses and doctors who don't have protective equipment.

"I said something when I was angry without thinking about the prime minister or his family."

The leader of Amber Valley Labour Group Chris Emmas-Williams said: "I've not made the comments but I feel as leader of the Labour group I have to apologise as well to Boris Johnson and his family and we wish him well because we need everyone possible to fight this disease."

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