Labour councillors arranged a meeting with IRA supporters in Islington Town Hall.

Cllr Alan Clinton felt the controversial visit would promote dialogue with Sinn Fein, the IRA’s political wing.

“We are keen to speak to representatives of all shades of political opinion,” he said.

But Cllr David Hyams, leader of the authority’s Social Democrat opposition, condemnded the visit: “First we had the Palestine Liberation Organisation, then an anti-semetic outburst at the July council meeting, and now it’s rolling out red carpet for the IRA.”

Labour activists feared it would harm the party’s general election prospects. One said: “This sort of nonsense must be worth a thousand votes to the SDP.”