A shadow Labour minister has apologised for saying wearing fur “is the same as wearing a swastika”.

David Drew, a pro-Jeremy Corbyn MP who is also shadow environment secretary, was speaking on Monday during a Commons debate on the sale of animal fur.

He told MPs: “I do not understand not only why we cannot lean on the retail trade but why people wear fur. To me, it is the same as wearing a swastika.”

But Mr Drew’s comments infuriated Frank Zilberkweit, who owns London-based Polar Furs and whose father and uncle fled Leipzig, Germany, in the 1930s to escape the Nazis.

Mr Zilberkweit said: “Mr Drew will be fully aware as part of his brief... that the fur trade in the UK includes businesses run by Jewish families.

“It was grossly insensitive to try to attack our legitimate industry by comparing it to the sale of swastikas.

“For my family and many others in the fur trade, the swastika is an emblem of extermination and heartache.

“To introduce it into a debate about our business is an underhanded and distasteful tactic. The British fur trade has always been open to discussions about best practice with animal welfare... to denigrate our industry in this manner is entirely uncalled for."

Mr Zilberkweit, 69, is a fifth generation Jewish furrier and has been in charge of the family firm for 50 years.

Mr Drew, 66, is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group and backed left-wing John McDonnell, who is now shadow chancellor, for Labour leader when Tony Blair stood down in 2007.

He made the comments as MPs debated a petition calling for a ban on the sale of animal fur in the UK.

Fur farming was banned in the UK in 2002. Earlier this year, the government said it had no intention of banning fur imports or sales.

Mr Drew issued an apology, saying: “I am sorry for drawing this comparison. I am passionate about animal welfare but this comparison was inappropriate and I apologise.”

The JC asked Jeremy Corbyn’s office for comment but they had not responded as this article went live.