The Foreign Office today confirmed it was looking into complaints that the Pakistani High Commissioner campaigned on behalf of a Bradford election candidate.

Diplomats are not supposed to interfere in elections, under the 1961 Vienna Convention.

But a complaint has been made that Abdul Qader Jaffer, the London-based Pakistani High Commissioner, has urged Asian electors in Bradford to vote for Muslim candidate Mohammed Riaz, a Conservative, in Bradford West.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of these allegations and we are investigating to see if there's anything in them. It is usual for foreign diplomats to attend and observe political meetings, it's part of their job. The fact that he has been at these meetings is not a problem at all.

"We haven't yet taken it up with the Pakistan High Commission, because we are waiting to see if there's any substance to the allegations."

Asked what would happen if the High Commissioner had breached the convention, the Foreign Office spokesman said: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Article 41 of the Vienna Convention prohibits interference in the internal affairs of the state in which diplomats are serving.

A written complaint has been sent to Foreign Secretary Robin Cook by Dr Richard North, election agent for Imran Hussain, the UK Independence Party candidate in Bradford West.

The letter claims: 'This is quite outrageous. The Pakistani High Commissioner visited mosques and asked people to support Mohammed Riaz, the Conservative candidate. What right has the representative of a foreign government to interfere in a British election?' He has also complained about a visit by the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir to the constituency, claiming he too was publicly backing Riaz.

Today the candidate, who is hoping to overturn a 3,600 Labour majority to become Bradford's first Pakistani Muslim MP, said: "My opponents have made allegation after allegation during this campaign, and this is another one. Instead they should be putting forward their own views and policies." He said he had not attended any election rallies with the High Commissioner within the last four weeks. He agreed he had been at meetings with him previously - but said politicians from other parties had too.

Other candidates standing in Bradford West are: Abdul Rauf Khan (Lib Dem); Marsha Singh (Lab) John Robinson (Green), and Farhan Hussain (Asian League).