New headache for Brown over Labour peer's links with hostile anti-Bush charity

It can be revealed that the former United Nations official, who was made a peer and appointed to the Government by Gordon Brown, has been an active supporter of Refugees International, which protests against White House policy in Iraq.

And the Minister's glamorous American wife Trish is a vice chairman of the Washington DC-based organisation.

The revelation will cement Lord Malloch-Brown's growing reputation as the "loose cannon" of Mr Brown's Government because of his "off message" views on the Middle East and the US.

It follows a series of remarks by the Minister which have irritated the Bush administration - just as the Prime Minister has been seeking to rebuild bridges with the White House.

Refugees International recently accused the American government of being "unforgiveably slow" in helping refugees fleeing the violence in Iraq and "oblivious" to the magnitude of the crisis.

The group also calls on the US to reopen diplomatic relations with Syria - the destination for many Iraqi refugees - a country which President Bush regards as a dangerous rogue state.

Refugees International is backed financially by George Soros, the Hungarian-born billionaire financier who used to employ Lord Malloch-Brown.

On the board of the group is Queen Noor, the attractive widow of Jordan's King Hussein who is now reported to be having a relationship with Mr Soros.

Queen Noor is also understood to be a close personal friend of Lady Malloch-Brown.

Mr Brown is already coming under pressure to dismiss Lord Malloch-Brown amid Foreign Office concerns that one of his regular off-the-cuff remarks could spark a major diplomatic incident.

Earlier this month Lord Malloch-Brown was guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the Syrian ambassador in London at which he is alleged to have told his hosts: "Think of me as your man in the Cabinet".

The Arab regime has been accused of sponsoring Middle East terrorism and breaching international agreements by trying to acquire its own nuclear bomb.

Previously Lord Malloch-Brown, 53, was reprimanded for suggesting that Britain was about to open negotiations with Hamas, the Palestinian group blamed for suicide attacks in Israel.

Refugees International, founded in 1979, sends "advocates" to world trouble spots to find out about the plight of local refugees.

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It then lobbies governments and international bodies to take more action.

But most recently it has specialised in campaigning on the issue of Iraq where an estimated 4.5 million people are on the move.

Most refugees have fled to neighbouring Syria and Jordan.

A Washington source said: "In US terms, Refugees International has a reputation for being on the political Left-wing.

"It is a constant irritant to the administration."

The Malloch-Browns' links to the organisation shine a new light on their long-standing friendship with the controversial Mr Soros, a critic of the Iraq war who is set to bankroll Hillary Clinton's election campaign against President Bush.

Lord Malloch-Brown came to prominence as one of General Secretary Kofi Annan's deputies at the UN before becoming vice president of Mr Soros's hedge fund, the Quantum Fund. He joined Mr Brown's Government in July.

The Malloch-Browns and their four children lived in a house on a country estate near New York owned by Mr Soros.

The Minister has since acquired a grace and favour Government apartment in Admiralty House, Whitehall, as his London base.

In May this year the Malloch-Browns were jointly given a major award at Refugees International's annual dinner - in recognition of their long standing support.

The "lead foundation sponsor" of the event was the Open Society Institute - the political wing of Mr Soros's empire.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said last night: "Lady Malloch-Brown is emeritus vice chairman, which means effectively that she is a retired vice chairman.

"Neither are now actively involved with the charity.

"They haven't donated recently. But that does not mean that they do not love the work of the charity - they are supporters in spirit.

"It is not just Refugees International that believes more needs to be done for the Iraqi refugees."