MP for Poplar and Limehouse Jim Fitzpatrick has joined a campaign urging the UN to recognise Palestinian statehood by granting it a place on the General Assembly.

The Labour MP is one of a number of politicians calling for foreign secretary William Hague to use his vote on the Assembly to support Palestine’s application for statehood.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Westminster last week, Mr Fitzpatrick said: “Palestinian statehood is central to peace in the Middle East. We must find a resolution to the conflict and UN recognition is a leap forwards in resolving this crisis in our generation and not leaving it for the next.

“An independent Palestine is a key issue for many of my constituents and I’m proud to support this campaign.”