Keighley MP Kris Hopkins is to chair a new All Party Parliamen-tary Group on Islamophobia.

Mr Hopkins was elected to fill the post at the group’s inaugural annual general meeting in the House of Commons.

The Conservative politician’s vice-chairmen are Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes and Labour peer Lord Janner of Braunstone.

The group has so far attracted the interest of more than 20 MPs and peers from across both Houses of Parliament.

The Conservative MP thanked attendees for being part of what he described as a “momentous occasion”.

He said: “Whilst challenges will undoubtedly arise in the weeks and months ahead, my colleagues and I are hugely committed to the task in hand.

“I believe there is already a very strong resolve amongst members to better understand the complex issues involved and to propose considered, evidence-based policies to tackle Islamophobia wherever it exists.”

Mr Hughes said that hatred of Islam and pandering to prejudice had been one of the dark spots of the last 20 years across the world.

He said: “All great world faiths have sadly included bigoted and prejudiced fanatics. This is never a justification for whipping up hate and fear against people who are the followers of Islam.”

The Parliamentary Group was formed following efforts by many Muslim organisations and the group’s officers will travel across the UK to hear the voices of the Muslim community.