Miss Puerto Rico suspended after posting series of anti-Muslim tweets

She later apologised for her words and highlighted her opposition to bullying

Destiny received the crown earlier this year (Youtube/Miss America Organisation)

The woman awarded the title ‘Miss Puerto Rico 2015’ has been suspended after posting a series of anti-Muslim tweets.

The tweets, which have now been deleted, were posted by Destiny Velez through her Miss Puerto Rico account (also now deleted), in response to filmmaker Michael Moore.

Mr Moore, the well-known documentary filmmaker who’s credits include Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine, initially tweeted a photograph of himself with a sign which read “We are all Muslims”.

Mr Moore was protesting against Donald Trump’s recent anti-Muslim comments and policy pledge to stop all Muslim entry to the US should he become president.

Seemingly appearing to side with Mr Trump, Ms Velez responded: “Why are u defending Muslims that haven’t done nothing for the USA” (sic), the tweets which were deleted, were screen-grabbed by some users:

She proceeded to accuse Muslims of “providing oil” and “terrorising” the US and using the US constitution to “plant gas stations”.

Following the tweets, the Miss Puerto Rico Organisation issued a statement on Facebook which confirmed Ms Velez’s suspension.

The post also included a personal apology from Ms Velez: “I apologise to the people I have offended with my words. I am first and foremost an #UpStander and as such I stand up against bullying. The last thing I wanted to do was to bully anyone. Again, I apologise to anyone who felt offended with my words.”

Posted by Miss Puerto Rico - preliminar oficial a Miss America on Saturday, 19 December 2015

Ms Velez was crowned Ms Puerto Rico in July, she failed to make it as one of the 15 finalists for Miss America 2015 in September.

On Sunday evening, the Miss Universe title was awarded to Miss Philippines, following an excruciating blunder by the presenter where Miss Colombia was initially given the crown.