The Government Chief Whip will today launch a petition calling on Big Brother contestant George Galloway to "respect his constituents, not his ego." The move comes after the politician took part in a degrading task in which he pretended to be a cat. The publicity-seeking Scot got down on all fours, licked the hands of fellow housemate Rula Lenska and rubbed himself up against the actress as part of his feline act.

The petition criticises the Bethnal Green and Bow MP for neglecting his constituents and taking part in the show while the House of Commons is sitting.