Liberal MP Linda Lapointe deletes photos of her 'unacceptable' Halloween costume

A Liberal MP is apologizing after posting photos on Facebookof herself wearingaHalloween costume based on an Asianethnic stereotype.

The photos show Linda Lapointe, the newly elected MP for Montreal's Rivire-des-Mille-les riding, wearing a stereotypical Asian hat and robe. The imagesdisappeared from Lapointe's Facebook page on Monday afternoon, shortly after CBC News reached out to ask about them.

• 'Racist' Halloween costumes should be pulled from shelves, says B.C. man
• Stores urged to stop stocking 'Indian' Halloween costumes

"For me, Halloween has always been a chance to celebrate with family and friends. It is in this spirit that I chose my costume," Lapointe told CBC News in an email.

"I regret if my choice offended anyone, but it was not at all my intention."

She said purchased the outfit during one of her trips to China.

The photos were first posted to Lapointe's Facebookpage on Nov. 1 from a Halloween party sheattended.They resurfaced Monday in an emotional French-languageFacebook postbyLaurinLiu, the Montreal riding'sformer NDP MP and a Chinese-Canadian.

Liu, whowasa member of the 2011 election'syoung"McGillFour" group, was defeated by Lapointe in October.

In her post, Liu called Lapointe's costume "unacceptable,"which sherepeatedin an email to CBC News. She said the photos made her feel "shocked and offended."

"I can't imagine how a little girl would feel on Halloween upon seeing her MP wearing a costume based on an ethnic stereotype of her culture,"she said.

"It's 2015. It's unacceptable to dress up as another culture, on Halloween or any other day. Pleading ignorance doesn't excuse the fact that her actions further stigmatized Chinese-Canadians. I am not sure she understands how hurtful her actions were, and if she does, I want her work in Parliament to reflect cultural inclusion and tolerance."

There has been much debate over the culturalcorrectness of Halloween costumes, with some deeming culturalcostumes controversial and others calling them racist.

Several took to Twitter to express sentiments similar to Liu's.

CBC News also asked thePrime Minister's Office for comment, but wasreferred back toLapointe.