Minister in fresh row over Commons meeting linked to the Moonies

International development minister Shahid Malik suffered embarrassment today as he was forced to pull out of a Commons meeting with a group linked to the Moonies cult.

Mr Malik was due to chair a "community cohesion" event organised by the Universal Peace Federation.

But he withdrew after the Standard revealed that the UPF was effectively a front organisation for the Unification Church, led by the Rev Sun Myung Moon.

Liberal Democrat frontbencher Julia Goldsworthy also pulled out when made aware of the links to the sect, which has been accused of brainwashing and which treats the Rev Moon as a messiah. A spokeswoman for Ms Goldsworthy said she was "horrified" when told of the group's links and had decided to withdraw.

Mr Malik had already irritated Communities Secretary Hazel Blears by his attempt to visit Islam Expo at Olympia this week. It was cancelled when Downing Street became alarmed that the event could be linked to backersof the extremist group Hamas. The UPF lists as one of its founders the Rev Moon, who launched the Unification Church in the Fifties and has expanded its reach worldwide.

The church, a blend of the teachings of Christianity and Chinese Confucianism, has been heavily criticised for its tactics and finances and is most famous for its "mass weddings" in which thousands of couples are blessed.

One Whitehall source said Mr Malik had displayed " seriously poor judgment" by agreeing to chair the meeting, particularly because the Government itself funds the cult watchdog Inform, a group that has often exposed much of the workings of the Moonies. "This is why we have ministerial guidance - to prevent things like this," said an insider.

Anti-cult activists claim church members are "brainwashed" into rejecting close ties with their families.