A Labour frontbencher has been criticised by Jewish leaders over her role in an anti-Israel protest that forced a supermarket to close.

Shabana Mahmood was part of a demonstration outside a branch of Sainsbury’s in Birmingham, protesting that it was ‘stocking goods from illegal settlements’.

She also took to social media to back a boycott of Israel, a position that is contrary to Labour Party policy.

The Jewish Leadership Council described her actions as inappropriate and called for Ms Mahmood to apologise, while the Board of Deputies condemned her part in the Sainsbury's protest as irresponsible.

But Labour said the MP, who speaks for the party on tax and growth policy, had spoken to leader Ed Miiband and told him she did not support a boycott.