Lord Sugar criticised after saying German-born MP should not 'tell us British' how to vote

Lord Alan Sugar has been accused of racism after saying a Brexit campaigner should not "tell us British what we should do" because she is originally from Germany.

In reference to the BBC's debate on Thursday's EU referendum, the Apprentice television personality and life peer said he found it "strange" that Labour MP Gisela Stuart, who was born in Bavaria, was supporting the Leave campaign.

Ms Stuart, whose maiden name is Gschaider, moved to the UK at the age of 19.

She is the Labour MP for Birmingham Edgbaston and among the party's most high-profile voices in the official leave campaign.

She appeared in the BBC debate alongside former Mayor of London Boris Johnson and energy minister Andrea Leadsom in front of 6,000 people at Wembley Arena.

Lord Sugar's comment was roundly criticised by those on both sides of the EU referendum debate.

Leave supporter and Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi said on Twitter that Lord Sugar should withdraw his comment.

Mark Wallace, executive editor of the Conservative Home website, said the Stronger In campaign should tell Lord Sugar: "You're fired."

"His intent was quite clear – to deny that Gisela has the same right as any of us to express her view on the future of the country which we share.," he commented.

Lord Sugar denied the claims of racism, saying Ms Stuart is an immigrant who is now arguing against immigration.

"Yes she is [British] now, and has been arguing that we need to curb immigrants from the EU - she immigrated to UK from Germany in 1974," he commented.