No anti-Muslim backlash, says MP

A Leeds MP has said a feared backlash against Muslims did not happen following the news that three of the 7 July London bombers came from the city. Speaking on 5 Live, John Battle praised locals for helping each other citing the case of a suspected bomb-making factory found in the city.

He said issues of religion were irrelevant as neighbours rallied round.

"They put other people up that were in need, across barriers of religion, race and culture," said the Leeds West MP.

Community-building

"They just said: 'Come in love, come into our house, we'll look after you till this is sorted out.'

"And from that, some real strength of community-building has gone on in Leeds.

"We haven't had the backlash which we were told, we haven't had the violence on the streets."

Mr Battle was speaking after the publication of two reports into the London bombings.

The Intelligence and Security Committee said the security services had come across two of the Leeds bombers before the London atrocities but there were "more pressing priorities" at the time.

"It was decided not to investigate them further or seek to identify them," said the report, adding that this decision was "understandable".