Laura White - X factor 2008

The row about Laura White being voted off the X Factor escalated last night as the debacle was discusses in the House of Commons.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham slammed the decision to vote favourite Laura off the show. He told MPs that the “wonderful and talented” singer had been treated “harshly” by the judges.

Laura was one of the favourites to win the show but lost out in the sing-off against rival Ruth Lorenzo. The row was exacerbated when it was revealed that Laura, 21, was “head and shoulders” above Ruth, 25, in the public vote.

However, the public vote wasn’t called upon to decide which of the singers left the show as judges Dannii Minogue, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh voted three to one to send Laura home. Only mentor Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole saved her.

The vote to get rid of Laura has enraged TV viewers and has sparked claims that the hit show has lost its credibility. More than five thousand viewers have now signed an online petition calling for Laura to be reinstated or be given a record deal, with some viewers claiming on forums that they weren’t able to get through when they phoned in to vote for Laura.

Cheryl is reportedly still furious with Louis because he had the casting vote and sealed Laura’s fate on the show.

The pair apparently later had a huge backstage bust-up and on the Xtra Factor, Cheryl said, “I actually feel numb. I feel shocked. I think it might have been a bit tactical if I’m totally honest.”