Green MP Caroline Lucas quits Stop the War Coalition after group's controversial statements

Green MP Caroline Lucas has stepped down as patron of the Stop the War Coalition. Credit: Reuters

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas - an opponent of Britain's airstrikes in Syria - is no longer a patron of the Stop the War Coalition, her office said in a statement.

Lucas stepped down from the committee of patrons “a few weeks ago”, after feeling "troubled" by some of the group's recent statements following last month’s atrocities in Paris, as well as on Syria, a spokesperson for the MP told ITV News.

The Stop the War Coalition put out a tweet and article after the Paris attacks suggesting the city "reaps the whirlwind of western support for extremist violence in Middle East".

As a result, her office said the Green Party’s only MP felt unable to associate herself with StWC, even though the controversial statements were subsequently taken down.

Additionally Lucas was concerned that "some Syrian voices were not given an opportunity to speak at a recent meeting organised by the StWC in Parliament," according to a statement from her office.

George Galloway MP speaks to protesters at Whitehall in London during a demonstration organised by Stop the War Coalition. Credit: Hannah McKay / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Lucas' decision to disassociate herself from the anti-war group could increase pressure on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to stay away from a Stop the War fundraising event he is due to attend on Friday.

Former frontbencher Tristram Hunt is among a number of Labour MPs who have voiced disquiet that Corbyn is continuing to associate with the group he chaired before becoming leader, calling it "disreputable".

In response, the Stop the War Coalition said Hunt's statement was "unfounded and unjustified", and the group would "celebrate" its view on the Syrian War with Corbyn in the upcoming meeting.