Khalid Mahmood’s 17-year relationship with Elaina Cohen, his parliamentary assistant, proved controversial from the very beginning.

They went from being “tempestuous” lovers to parliamentary colleagues, and were embroiled in the MPs’ expenses scandal over stays in a five-star hotel.

Now The Daily Telegraph reveals that Mr Mahmood was taken to an employment tribunal by Ms Cohen, who is Jewish, on grounds of religious discrimination.

The case was settled out of court, Ms Cohen having to sign a controversial non-disclosure agreement with Mr Mahmood - all indirectly funded by the taxpayer.

The couple began seeing each other in 2003, as Mr Mahmood was in the process of separating from his second wife.