A Glasgow Labour MP has been forced to apologise online after making a controversial jibe at the First Minister being hit with a tennis ball.

Nicola Sturgeon was in Dennistoun yesterday when she was on the receiving end of a brutal serve by Anne McLaughlin during a game of swingball.

Footage shared on social media showed the First Minister getting whacked on the back of the head with the ball.

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Paul Sweeney posted the video, captioning it: "'Whack-a-Sturgeon'. A sport I could definitely get behind."

He deleted the post quickly, but not before other users - including Ms Sturgeon - saw the controversial remarks.

The First Minister posted a screenshot of the tweet, and said "What a charmer..."

Mr Sweeney publicly apologised online after being branded 'disgusting' and 'hopeless' by other users.

He wrote: "It was merely my weak attempt at being lighthearted by making a pun on 'whac-a-mole', but I quickly realised it could be misconstrued, so please accept my apologies for any offence.

"You're welcome to have a free hit at me on the swing ball on your next visit to Dennistoun!"