Shadow health minister Diane Abbott has been forced to apologise after a comment she posted online sparked a race row.
The Labour MP caused controversy by writing on Twitter: "White people love playing 'divide and rule'. We should not play their game."
The remark came during a conversation with a freelance journalist following the sentencing of two men for the racially-aggravated murder of Stephen Lawrence.
It generated a fierce row on Twitter and the web and prompted calls for Ms Abbott, who ran for the Labour leadership in 2010, to quit.
Speaking to Sky News, the MP insisted the comment had been taken out of context adding: "Some people have interpreted it maliciously" but she stopped short of saying sorry.
During the interview, she was interrupted by a phone call which Sky sources have revealed was from leader Ed Miliband.
A source close to Mr Miliband said: "He phoned her up personally to give her a severe dressing down. He made it clear she had to apologise unreservedly - to him, to the party, and to anybody who was offended by it. This is not what the Labour party stands for."
Shortly afterwards, Ms Abbott released a statement saying: "I understand people have interpreted my comments as making generalisations about white people. I do not believe in doing that. I apologise for any offence caused."
The full exchange on Twitter started with journalist Bim Adewunmi writing: "I do wish everyone would stop saying 'the black community.' WHICH ONE?
"Clarifying my black community tweet: I hate the generally lazy thinking behind the use of the term. Same for black community leaders."
She later tweeted: "I find it frustrating that half the time, these leaders are out of touch with black people they purport to represent."
Ms Abbott replied, saying: "I understand the cultural point you are making. But you are playing into a divide and rule agenda."
Then she added: "White people loving playing divide and rule. We should not play their game #tacticsasoldascolonialism."
The comments led to heavy criticism, with some Conservatives branding them racist and calling for her resignation.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg described them as "stupid and crass" and urged the MP to "apologise and explain herself".
Nadhim Zahawi, a Tory MP born in Iraq, told Sky News: "She is in a very high profile position, a position of political leadership. She is a shadow minister. To hold views that white people play games of divide and rule is blatantly racist. It is outrageous.
"If this was reversed I guarantee a white politician would have to resign their frontbench post or be sacked. I think she should do the honourable thing and go."
Tory backbencher Louise Mensch also tweeted in response to the post, writing: "You what? #racism."
And Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne weighed into the row, saying: "Personally I think Diane abbott should resign just for having no common sense."
Before issuing her apology, Ms Abbott posted another comment saying: "Tweet taken out of context. Refers to nature of 19th century European colonialism. Bit much to get into 140 characters."
A Labour spokesman said: "We disagree with Diane's Tweet. It is wrong to make sweeping generalisations about any race, creed or culture. The Labour Party has always campaigned against such behaviour and so has Diane Abbott."
The gaffe follows a comment during a television appearance last year when Ms Abbott called David Cameron and Mr Clegg "two posh white boys".
And there was also criticism after she was quoted as saying: "West Indian mums will go to the wall for their children" during another TV show in 2010.
Host of the BBC programme The Week, Andrew Neil, asked her: "So black mums love their kids more than white mums, do they?" but she refused to comment further.
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