A Labour MP has called for an investigation into the failure of police to arrest an ex-Israeli general on war crimes charges when he came to Britain.

A warrant for the arrest of Major General Doron Almog was issued last week by Chief London Magistrate Timothy Workman in response to allegations that he ordered the demolition of 59 Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip as an act of retaliation.

The 54-year-old came to the UK on a fund-raising trip for braindamaged children in his home country, but remained "airside" at Heathrow after being tipped off there was a warrant for his arrest.

He flew straight back to Israel. He had been due to speak at a Solihull synagogue on Sunday.

Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, wrote to Home Secretary Charles Clarke and the Metropolitan Police demanding an inquiry.

She is also asking Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to request that the Israeli Government waive diplomatic immunity for members of embassy staff who she suspects of tipping off the general.

Ms Thornberry said: "We seem to have had the farcical situation of police officers waiting at the gate for the general to get off the plane, whilst officials from the Israeli Embassy slip past them on to the plane and advise him to flee."

He was due to be arrested on suspicion of committing a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention 1949.