Lord Ahmad: 'Muslims must speak out in the UK'

Ministers have defended a letter which urged Muslim leaders to explain how Islam "can be part of British identity" after criticism from within the faith.

The Muslim Council of Britain said the letter appeared to suggest - "like the far right"- that Muslims and Islam were inherently apart from British society.

The letter was sent to 1,000 Muslim leaders after the attacks in Paris.

Lord Ahmad, who signed the letter with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, told the BBC that groups needed to work together to tackle extremism.

"It is incumbent on Muslims to speak out," he added.