Two Brighton MPs have tabled a Commons motion calling on the Government to acknowledge the SS Mendi tragedy.

We told last week how more than 600 black South Africans died on the SS Mendi in the Channel in 1917 when their ship was rammed by a British liner in thick fog.

The tribesmen were volunteers on their way to dig trenches in France during the First World War.

The liner did not stop to help and no official notification or apology was given to the relatives.

Brighton Labour MPs Des Turner and David Lepper were shocked by the story and have called for the Government to make a statement acknowledging the tragedy.

The MPs also want ministers to assist with setting up memorials to the men in Britain and South Africa.

Kemp Town MP Mr Turner said: "This is an issue where - at no particular cost - the Government can do something for relations with South Africa and any surviving relatives or descendants of the people involved in this tragedy.

"The current Ministry of Defence seems to be pretending that it is nothing to do with them.

"We need to demonstrate the world has moved on from the time when a few hundred black troops were viewed as expendable."

The motion will remain in the Commons for other MPs to sign. It is a method used by MPs to make official statements about issues of concern.