THE city's former MP has called on Worcester Labour Party to cancel an event involving a controversial politician.

Mike Foster said his party should withdraw an invitation for Labour MP Chris Williamson to speak in the city later this month.

Mr Williamson previously apologised for tweeting in support of Gilad Atzmon, a musician accused of anti-Semitism, after a council banned him from a performance because of his views.

He said: "He has questionable views on anti-Semitism.

"He was caught supporting some sort of anti-Semitic musician. He signed a petition supporting this individual. Most moderate figures would have seen this musician as what he is.

"When pressure was applied he backed down and said he didn't know he was anti-Semitic.

"When someone has question marks against their name and what they are doing and saying around this very sensitive topic, they are not the people we want coming to a place like Worcester - Middle England.

"We don't want divisive figures splitting Labour or sections of the community against each other."

Mr Foster also disagreed with the contents of the speech that Mr Williamson is due to deliver.

He claims that the MP's 'democracy roadshow' promotes the idea of making it easier for party members to deselect MPs that disagree with the current Labour leader.

However, Lynn Denham, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Worcester, defended Mr Williamson and said she was not aware of any anti-Semitism in Worcester.

She added: "Mike Foster is not a member of Worcester Constituency Labour Party (CLP), he lives outside the city.

"It's an invitation by some members of Worcester CLP that met Chris Williamson at the Labour conference.

"He's an elected MP, I'm sure his experience as an MP and with the media will be very valuable and of interest to local members."

The speech will be held in Worcester Brewing Company on January 11.

Mr Williamson was unavailable for comment.