Former Labour MP Kate Hoey savaged Simon Hoare - the chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee - for using the position to “cosy up to the Irish government and the EU”. The independent cross-party committee was created to scrutinise the expenditure, administration and policy of the Northern Ireland Office and its associated public bodies.

       Much of its focus has been on the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol - which has outraged the province’s Unionist community - and its parliament, Stormont.

       Yesterday its First Minister and DUP leader Paul Givan said it was “inevitable” that it would collapse if issues surrounding the Protocol were not resolved.

       Responding to this, Mr Hoare - the MP for North Dorset - tweeted: “With Covid etc collapsing Stormont would be a dereliction of public duty and service.

       “The communities of NI need all of their politicians with their shoulders to the wheel. The people of NI deserve better than being pawns in a game of political blackmail.”

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       His comments were quickly picked up by many, who claimed politician - who backed remain before the 2016 referendum - was using his position to argue the EU’s case.

       User @gawanorniron wrote: “The sheer nerve of @Simon4NDorset to say ‘the people of NI deserve better than being pawns in a game of political blackmail’ when this is precisely how his beloved EU overlords have used our country for the last four years!?”

       Ms Hoey - one of the few Labour MPs to support Vote Leave - was similarly scathing.

       She tweeted: “As I have said many times Northern Ireland is not served well by @CommonsNIAC chair who has done everything he can to cosy up to the Irish government and the EU whilst denigrating those who support the Union.”

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       Mr Hoare has form for angering the province’s unionist community.

       In July, the Tory MP was forced to apologise and delete a tweet that was perceived to mock the annual July 12 commemorations.

       During the event, bonfires are lit and marches take place across the province to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

       Shortly before the commemorations, Mr Hoare wrote: "Who knew William of Orange arrived in Ireland with hundreds of wooden pallets hence the traditional pallet burning fiesta began."

       Loyalists swiftly criticised the tweet - leading to it being deleted and Mr Hoare apologising.

       He later wrote: "Earlier I posted a tweet which was never intended to cause the offence it has to some in NI.

       "I want to say fully and unequivocally that I am sorry. I intended only to be humorous/tongue in cheek & I got it wrong.

       "I hope my apology will be accepted. It is sincere and heartfelt."

       Again Mr Hoey criticised the Tory MP and firmly rejected his apology.

       At the time she tweeted: "Sincere and heartfelt??

       “Well we will see if he can refrain from his regular snide remarks and obvious anti-Unionist and loyalist views and his pandering to nationalists and the Irish Government."

       Express.co.uk has contacted the committee and Mr Hoare for comment.