Rotherham MP Denis MacShane has joined the fight to save BBC Radio Manchester’s Jewish Hour from the axe, accusing the corporation of “singling out the Jewish community for discrimination”.

Mr MacShane, who chaired the 2006 Parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism, has written to BBC Trust head Lord Patten to protest against plans to end the long-running programme in December.

Describing the decision as “very odd”, he added: “We should be celebrating the worth and contribution of Britain’s Jewish community. The BBC is right to invest in this part of its work and wrong to single out the Jewish community for discrimination by axing this programme.”

The JC reported last week that the BBC is facing a legal challenge to its plan on the ground that the decision breaches discrimination laws. Local activists have called on community members to attend next month’s hearing at Manchester Civic Justice Centre to demonstrate their displeasure.