When it comes to asylum seekers, the real issue is that this is a backdoor way for naked racism to be introduced by people like William Hague

Tony Benn MP

He is expected to say: "When it comes to asylum seekers, the real issue is that this is a backdoor way for naked racism to be introduced by people like William Hague into the democratic political scene.

"It's very dangerous, and it needs to be exposed and resisted."

In what is likely to be one of his last public appearances as a member of parliament in a career spanning over 50 years, Mr Benn will back calls for the abolition of the government's voucher and dispersal schemes for asylum seekers.

He will speak alongside representatives from the Europe-Roma organisation and the Socialist Alliance.

The Tory leader is accused of "naked racism".

Mr Hague was widely criticised for a speech he made earlier this month, when he said Britain under a second-term Labour government would become a "foreign land", where British people no longer felt at home.

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook accused Mr Hague of "exploiting the worst instincts of fear and prejudice".

But at the time Mr Hague rejected suggestions that his attitudes were racist or xenophobic.

He said: "We trust the people. They are not bigoted or ungenerous."