The Labour MP who suggested Matthew Gould was an inappropriate British ambassador to Israel, because he was Jewish, has reportedly been called in by Labour Chief Whip Rosie Winterton to explain his remarks.

Paul Flynn, who represents the Newport West constituency, suggested that Matthew Gould, Britain's first Jewish envoy to Israel, had divided loyalties and that the position should be filled by "someone with roots in the UK".

Leader Ed Miliband's office reported that Mr Miliband "thinks these comments are totally unacceptable".
Mr Flynn's remarks were heavily criticised by the Foreign Office and MPs from across the political spectrum.

Ivan Lewis, the Labour MP and Shadow Secretary for International Development, wrote on Twitter: "Matthew Gould is highly professional diplomat and excellent advocate for UK foreign policy.

"He is proud to be Jewish. [The] smear is appalling."