British MPs and unions unite to support ailing Chavez

People's President Hugo Chavez could not be sworn in as leader for the fourth time on Thursday because he is receiving life-saving cancer treatment in Cuba.

Right-wing politicians have pounced on his absence to try to "create confusion and call an election," said Venezuelan ambassador Samuel Moncada.

But Mr Moncada told Thursday night's packed emergency meeting of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign that: "Even if there is an election tomorrow, or in six months time, or in two years' time, these opposition people are going to lose it."

Left-wing Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn slated President Chavez's political opponents for "lacking humanity."

In a passionate speech Mr Corbyn said: "We want him well, we want him back and we want him to continue to bring social justice to the people of Venezuela.

"Fundamentally the direction Venezuela is going in is one of redistribution from the very rich to the very poor."

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady was among other politicians and union leaders to send strong messages of support to the meeting.

She said it was "sad that despite their defeat at the ballot box some of the opposition appear willing to use president Chavez's illness to destablise the country."