Brighton currently play home games at 7,000-seater Withdean Stadium

Norman Baker said it was "outrageous" for Mr Prescott to watch Hull play Brighton and then dine with both clubs.

A government spokesman said Mr Prescott frequently watched his home team, Hull, play, and the deputy prime minister could still take decisions on Falmer.

Mr Prescott gave consent on 27 October for the Brighton club's stadium to be built on greenbelt land at Falmer.

The site, on the outskirts of Brighton, is in the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Letter to PM

The Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, Mr Baker, said Mr Prescott attended the match at Brighton's temporary home, the Withdean stadium, on 16 December.

He said it was eight days after Lewes District Council lodged an appeal against the 22,000-seater stadium at Falmer - Lewes council is arguing Mr Prescott misinterpreted government planning policy for greenbelt land.

Mr Baker now argues that Mr Prescott should be removed from the case.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "The whole thing is outrageous.

"I have written to the Prime Minister demanding that Mr Prescott be removed from the case and that he plays no part in it.

The club wants to build a 22,000-seater stadium at Falmer

"If the council succeeds in court, it should be another minister that considers the case, because he has compromised his position."

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed to BBC South East that Mr Prescott had been at the match only to watch his home team play.

A statement said: "The only time the deputy prime minister visited the ground was with both sets of directors.

"His responsibility ended when he made his decision.

"His attendance to watch his team playing will not affect that decision if the court refers it back to him.

"Our legal advice is that this does not preclude his taking the decision in the future."