One of Barack Obama’s Middle East policy advisers disclosed today that he had held meetings with the militant Palestinian group Hamas - prompting the likely Democratic nominee to sever all links with him.

Robert Malley told The Times he had regularly been in contact with Hamas, which controls Gaza but is listed by the US State Department as a terrorist organisation. Such talks, he stressed, were related to his work for a conflict resolution think tank and had no connection with his position on Mr Obama’s Middle East advisory council.

“I’ve never hidden the fact that in my job with the International Crisis Group I meet all kinds of people,” he added.

But Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for Mr Obama, responded swiftly, saying: “Rob Malley has, like hundreds of other experts, provided informal advice to the campaign in the past. He has no formal role in the campaign and he will not play any role in the future.”

Lee ADDS: Just how many more times will VOTING Americans learn about the ties of Obama’s Campaign personnel with THOSE WHO HATE America before they come to realize ALL OF THEM ARE, or WERE, close to The Candidate himself!

HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH, Ayers, Wright and everyone else but Al Qaeda! Could they, Al Qaeda, be next to endorse Obama?