The Upper Bann MLA conceded that the posts, the majority of which were written around a decade ago, were "horrendous and horrific".
The former soldier suggested the "dark and black humour" he used may have been a "coping" mechanism and reflective of him being "desensitised" by battlefield experiences.But Mr Beattie insisted he is not using that potential explanation as an "excuse" for his tweets. He added: "I am asking people to look at the person I am now and not judge me on the person I was 10 years ago."
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