Israeli ambassador Mark Regev had to cancel a talk at a London university because it would not provide "basic security" as recommended by the police, the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) has said.

Mr Regev was due to speak at City, University of London on Wednesday but withdrew.

In a statement, UJS and the City and Cass Israel Society said they were '"appalled"  and accused the university of having "prioritised divisive politics over the safety of their own students".

"It is disgraceful... Israeli diplomats have spoken on campus more than 150 times over the past four years, where all host institutions have managed to balance freedom of speech with the legitimate right to peaceful protest. It seems City have deliberately failed in their obligation to do both," the groups said in a statement.

They added "a series of developments" at City University "have caused Jewish students to feel threatened".

"We are appalled by the levels of intimidation and bigotry to which Jewish students have been subjected, and today’s cancellation only reinforces this already unacceptable situation.’

The JC has approached the university for comment.