Mr McAllion, a former Labour councillor, MP and MSP, who now works as Oxfam’s campaign manager, was invited by Dundee Fairtrade Forum to attend the official launch of their new guide at the Tartan Coffee House, Perth Road, on June 20.

However, the Fair Trade Forum called an emergency meeting at the One World Centre in Dundee this morning because it alleges the council said it would no longer support the project if Mr McAllion was involved because of his association with the Scottish Socialist Party.

Mr McAllion is expected to stand as a candidate for the party in the Scottish Parliamentary elections next year.

An e-mail, sent to all members of Dundee Fair Trade Forum, said Mr McAllion had been asked to attend the launch because of his role with Oxfam and his knowledge of Fairtrade issues.

It stated, “Unfortunately and surprisingly, some people within Dundee City Council are very displeased with our choice and have threatened to withdraw funding for the guide if John takes part in the launch.

“The reason for this is because John is now involved with the SSP and I believe will be standing as a candidate at the next election.”

Dundee City Council was to pay a minimum of £325 to help pay for the guide.

The £325 would be roughly half the entire cost of publishing and launching of the pamphlet, which lists all the shops, cafes and restaurants in the city that support the Fair Trade Movement.

However, Dundee City Council described the accusation was “surprising,” although a statement said that as the main financial backer of the project, they would expect to be involved making the arrangements for the guide’s launch.

“Dundee City Council has a long and proud track record of supporting the Fairtrade movement, both within the council and also in the wider community,” said a spokesman.

“We have been at the forefront of encouraging Fairtrade to such an extent that Dundee was given the accolade of Scotland’s first Fairtrade City.

“It is in this context that we are surprised that anyone should claim that we are not going to support the publication of the new Dundee Fairtrade Guide.

“As in any partnership arrangement, the city council as the major funding partner of the guide, would expect to be involved in making the arrangements for its launch.

“This is why we are looking for discussions with the Fair Trade Forum on the launch event,” he added.

Ann Gammack from the One World Centre and the Fair Trade Forum refused to comment on the row.

MSP Shona Robison recently accused Dundee City Council of ``inconsistency'' over its policy for allowing politicians access to its schools. She was speaking as First Minister Jack McConnell used Braeview Academy to launch an Executive policy initiative.

Last month she was refused permission to attend what was seen as a relatively innocuous event at a city primary school.

At the time she said her Dundee West counterpart, Labour MSP Kate Maclean, had been allowed to attend events in schools in her constituency and questioned whether council policy was being applied equally.

Dundee education convener Kevin Keenan then launched an attack on Ms Robison, accusing her of trying to use pupils to obtain publicity.