BRIAN Sedgemore MP could be forced to make a grovelling apology to Kidderminster Harriers.

The Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch sits on the influential Treasury Select Committee.

It recently discussed proposed new members of the Monetary Policy Committee which decides interest rates.

Chancellor Gordon Brown's nominees were Christopher Allsopp, a fellow of New College, Oxford, and Professor Stephen Nickell.

The MPs grilled the two and were not impressed with Mr Allsopp, who is due to replace Charles Goodhart on the committee.

Mr Sedgemore was concerned that the MPC was losing someone of the "Arsenal or Manchester United standard" for a man in the "Vauxhall League, maybe Kidderminster".

But this did not impress David Lock, Kidderminster Harriers fan, Wyre Forest MP and Minister in the Lord Chancellor's Department.

"I would not suggest that Kidderminster have quite reached Premiership standard," he said.

"But I would have thought a better comparison was a team going down not a team going up.

"I shall have to put him right in forcible terms and ensure he writes to Kidderminster to apologise.

"I have invited him to come and find out the excellence of Kidderminster football at the opening of the season."

Mr Sedgemore will no doubt be aware that Kidderminster are no longer in the Vauxhall Conference having won promotion to the Third Division.

But Mr Sedgemore's shame should be nothing compared to that being piled on to Jack Straw in the Commons.

Paul Keetch put the Home Secretary in the dock for allowing boxer and convicted rapist Mike Tyson to enter Britain for his fight in Glasgow next month.

The Hereford Liberal Democrat MP is backing a Commons motion condemning the decision.

"I regret the Home Secretary's explanation that substantial revenue lost to the UK economy is a reason for this decision, putting profit over principle," he said.

"This decision must be accompanied by a condemnation of crimes of violence, particularly against women."

Wolverhampton Labour MP Jenny Jones pressed home the point: "Is rape to be taken seriously, or is it only to be taken seriously provided it does not cost too much?" she said.