Former environment minister Michael Meacher has come under fire from both the UK and US governments for claiming that America knew of the threat to the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001 and did nothing to stop it.

In an article for the Guardian, the Labour MP argued that the war on terrorism is a smokescreen for a US goal of "world hegemony, built around securing by force command over the oil supplies".

His comments were rejected by the American embassy.

"Mr Meacher's fantastic allegations - especially his assertion that the US government knowingly stood by while terrorists killed some 3,000 innocents in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia - would be monstrous, and monstrously offensive, if they came from someone serious or credible," said a spokesman.

Downing Street also distanced itself from Meacher's claims. "The prime minister has responded to those who argue it was about oil," said a spokesman.