Soames denies making racist remark to Green

Nicholas Soames, the shadow Defence Secretary, denied reports yesterday that he made anti-Semitic remarks to the retail entrepreneur Philip Green, who failed in his bid last week to take over Marks & Spencer.

Nicholas Soames, the shadow Defence Secretary, denied reports yesterday that he made anti-Semitic remarks to the retail entrepreneur Philip Green, who failed in his bid last week to take over Marks & Spencer.

Mr Soames, a grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, is alleged to have said "their kind keep it all together" on seeing Mr Green, who is Jewish, at the Dorchester Hotel in London. The incident occurred in the hotel's restaurant while Mr Green was meeting the BBC's business editor, Jeff Randall, and William Lewis business editor of The Sunday Times. Mr Soames allegedly shouted: "So that's why the BBC coverage is like it is, nice cosy chats ... Their kind keep it all together, as ever."

Mr Randall telephoned Lord Saatchi, the Tory chairman, to complain. In a statement issued through Central Office, Mr Soames said: "This is a total exaggeration. I never said anything anti-Semitic and never would say anything anti-Semitic."