British anti-racism advocate accused of Islamophobia

Britain's opposition Labour party has suspended an anti-racism campaigner over accusations of Islamophobia, the activist revealed on Monday.

Trevor Phillips, who has headed several high-profile public bodies including the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said he had been suspended after he suggested Muslims were "different".

The former broadcaster told BBC radio: "They say I've accused Muslims of being different. Well, actually, that's true. The point is Muslims are different and in many ways, I think that's admirable.

"We cannot continue to simply say differences don't matter, it's a form of disrespect."