Opponents of controversial Indian politician Narendra Modi are using rooms in Parliament to publish smears against him, an MP has claimed.

Tory Bob Blackman said "scurrilous reports" attacking the prime ministerial candidate were being published in the House of Commons.

Mr Modi, currently Gujarat's chief minister, is a controversial figure - lauded for his part in the economic success of the area but also accused of complicity in religious riots.

Mr Blackman asked for a debate on the upcoming Indian general elections but Commons Leader Andrew Lansley said it was not proper for the Government to interfere in the politics of the country.

During business questions in the Commons, Mr Blackman said: "In the run-up to the Indian elections it appears that opponents of Narendra Modi will stop at nothing to smear him, including using rooms in this House to publish thoroughly scurrilous reports attacking him personally.

"Can we have a debate on the relationship between Britain and India, the Indian elections in particular, and to give the Foreign Secretary an opportunity to welcome Narendra Modi as the next prime minister of India?"

Mr Lansley replied: "You will know that as the world's largest democracy, the question of who should be the next Prime Minister of India is one for the people of India to decide, I don't think it's one for the United Kingdom to interfere in or even proper for us in Government to debate the merits - that's for them to decide.

"What I can say is that we enjoy excellent relations with politicians in India from right across the political spectrum and a number of Indian chief ministers have visited the United Kingdom in recent years.

"We very much have welcomed them."