OTTAWA - Outspoken Tory MP Rob Anders is apologizing - again - after he suggested the late Jack Layton ran his last federal campaign in poor health due to Thomas Mulcair's fierce political aspirations.

"I actually think one of the great stories that was missed by journalists was that Mr. Mulcair, with his arm twisted behind the scenes, helped to hasten Jack Layton's death," Anders told iPolitics, an online publication.

Layton died in August 2011 after he announced he was fighting a second battle with cancer. Just a few months prior to his death, Layton led the NDP to its best result in Canadian political history.

Mulcair subsequently became the leader of the party following a convention in March.

After the story was published Monday, the prime minister's spokesman issued a statement that Anders' comments "in no way represent the views" of the government. The Calgary West MP issued his own apology in a statement shortly after.

"My comments in iPolitics with respect to Mr. Mulcair and Mr. Layton were insensitive and inconsiderate," Anders said in a statement. "I apologize to

Mr. Mulcair and to Mr. Layton's family."

Layton's widow, Toronto MP Olivia Chow, says she accepts Anders' apology.

"Let's put aside the theories and work for a cure of cancer," said Chow. "Like all the other NDP members of Parliament, Tom Mulcair loved Jack."

Anders was forced to apologize earlier this year for lashing out at Canadian veterans of the Afghan war when they criticized him for nodding off at a House of Commons committee.