A peer says he has "withdrawn" his reference to vice-president elect Kamala Harris as "the Indian" on Twitter.

(Sky News)

Lord Kilclooney was accused of racism after posting the message, while he has been reported to the Commissioner for Standards and the Lords Speaker.

The cross-bench peer earlier insisted there was "nothing racist" in his tweet, which read: "What happens if Biden moves on and the Indian becomes President. Who then becomes Vice President?"

(TheJournal.ie)

His remark sparked a furious backlash, with politicians and campaigners calling on him to delete the post and apologise.

In a message on Monday afternoon, Lord Kilclooney said he had "withdrawn" the remark because "it seems to have upset some people".

He added: "I did not know her name and identified her with the term Indian. Most people understood. Racist NO."

However, despite saying he had "withdrawn" the reference, the original tweet remains on his timeline.

(Lupni.com/Sky news)