Conservative MP Esther McVey has been criticised for a social media post in which she quoted a famous Holocaust poem in relation to reports the government could ban smoking in pub gardens and other public outdoor spaces.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, on Thursday, said “more details will be revealed”, when asked if the government was considering a ban.

Responding to the news, Ms McVey, a former Cabinet minister, shared a post on X of Martin Niemöller’s poem, which discusses the failure to prevent the Holocaust during World War Two.

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The post quickly drew criticism, with the Board of Deputies of British Jews calling it an “ill-considered and repugnant action”.

“We would strongly encourage the MP for Tatton to delete her tweet and apologise for this breathtakingly thoughtless comparison,” it posted on X.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, meanwhile, told Ms McVey to “get a grip”.