Labour yesterday moved to play down suggestions that Iraq's interim prime minister Iyad Allawi will be invited to address the party's annual conference in Brighton.

Reports that Mr Allawi could be the international speaker at this year's conference, to be held at the end of next month, angered some party supporters and some MPs.

Some considered it insensitive that such an honour should be extended to Mr Allawi, given the continuing unpopularity of the Iraq war among many grassroots supporters.

Mr Allawi's interim administration is viewed with suspicion at home, with many Iraqis believing it to be a puppet of the United States-led coalition.

Its use of force against radical Shiite militiamen in the holy city of Najaf has also been controversial.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "He (Mr Allawi) has not been invited to be the international speaker."

The party does not normally confirm the identity of the international speaker until very late in the day.

The clear statement that Mr Allawi has not been invited to speak makes it look highly unlikely that he will be addressing delegates from the podium.