Channel 7’s Mike Smithson has called out local member Michael Atkinson for “offensive” tweets after Mr Atkinson announced he was taking a break from social media.

Atkinson said during the week he would take a “long vacation” from his socials after tagging two female politicians in an inappropriate tweet.

“It was nice to see that he actually admitted he shouldn’t have done this,” Smithson told FIVEAA on Wednesday.

“He’s accused me on Twitter on many occasion of barracking for Nick Xenophon, which I found slightly offensive. I don’t barrack for anyone — whether it be Nick Xenophon or certainly not Mick Atkinson or others.

“I don’t even bother replying to him, in fact I was going to block him at one stage because I found his tweets quite annoying.

“Mick I think needs to back off on these knee jerk reactions and usually pretty barbed criticisms towards people — certainly reporters.

“if you want to have a crack at me, ring me up and have a crack at me — and he probably will in about five minutes’ time.”