Controversial MP David Ward may not have the Liberal Democract whip reinstated following his offensive comments about Israel and Jews, the party has suggested.

A spokesman said the situation would be “revisited when all parties return to Westminster” at the end of the summer recess.

He said Mr Ward’s most recent remarks about Israel’s future would “play a very important part in any decision about his reinstatement to the parliamentary party”.

The whip was temporarily removed from the Bradford East MP last month but the suspension is due to end when Parliament resumes on September 2.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has revealed his frustration with Mr Ward publicly for the first time.

He said he had discussed the issue with the MP until he was “blue in the face”. He told the Bradford Telegraph and Argus that he found it “totally unacceptable” that Mr Ward had continued to raise questions about Israel’s right to exist and that the statements were “not consistent with our values and our policy” on Israel.