Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell, author of the Wallander series of crime thrillers, has called on British politicians to join him on the next flotilla to Gaza.

Speaking at this year's Hay Festival of Literature, he said he was looking forward to being on the next boat. He said: "I can tell you there will be another flotilla and I will go with it again because the Palestinians need all the support we can give them."

He told interviewer Sarah Crompton, arts editor of the Daily Telegraph: "There will be some politicians on board. There are no politicians from Britain yet but I can assure you we could find space for them."

Mr Mankell was on the Mavi Marmara a year ago, when nine activists died on the Gaza-bound boat during an Israeli raid. He was due to appear at the festival last year, but was delayed because he was on the ship.