WORCESTER MP Mike Foster was forced to defend his Westminster boss Margaret Hodge today after she faced calls to quit.

He will lose his own job as Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Education Department if the children's Minister is sacked or forced to resign for allegedly libelling an abuse victim.

Mr Foster came under strong pressure on Radio Four's flagship Today programme.

But he stood by the former leader of Islington Council who is facing legal action after allegedly writing a letter of complaint to the BBC about an inquiry into a child abuse scandal when she was in charge.

He said he did not know the background to the case, but added: "The problem I have is that all the good work she is doing is not getting through because of the discussion about the content of the letter."

Asked bluntly if she should keep her job, he said: "I certainly hope so, because she is an incredibly talented minister. I hope she stays."

Demetrious Panton had spoken to the Today programme about the abuse he suffered in the late 1970s by children's home head Bernie Bain, described by police as a "brutal sexual abuser". Mrs Hodge allegedly wrote to BBC chairman Gavyn Davies complaining of a "concerted campaign" against her.

Now, Mr Panton, aged 35, a philosophy graduate working as a consultant on the Government's New Deal for Communities and advising the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is set to sue.

Mrs Hodge cancelled a visit to one of UCW's research centres just hours before she was expected to speak. UCW received a telephone call from the MP's office at 10am yesterday, saying she would be unable to attend.