Respect MP George Galloway last night denied Conservative claims that he had endorsed Ed Miliband for Prime Minister.

The Bradford West MP confirmed he had met the Labour leader but said that it was a private meeting and had nothing to do with him joining Labour.

Yesterday, the Conservative Party claimed that Mr Galloway had backed Mr Miliband to be the next Prime Minister and had struck a deal to support Labour in elections.

Grant Shapps, chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “With Tony Blair deserting him and George Galloway endorsing him, it's becoming increasingly clear that Ed Miliband is a weak leader whose only plan for Britain is more spending, more borrowing and more debt – exactly how Labour got us into this mess in the first place.”

Mr Galloway responded: “I met Michael Gove before I met Ed Miliband, or has that escaped Grant Shapps' notice?

“The idea that I would hatch any pact with the Tories is ludicrous, as it is that I would treat with Ed Miliband.”