A SCOTTISH MP is leading calls for a boycott of Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Nine colleagues have already signed Katy Clark's Early Day Motion in the House of Commons as pressure mounts on Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone's plans for the event in the face of continuing protests.

A car bomb exploded this week, with fresh demonstrations due against Bahrain's ruling Al Khalifa royal family.

Mrs Clark, the Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, said: "The race could be used as an excuse to further crack down on those campaigning for greater freedom and democracy."