Race claim during leader's visit

Asghar Ali was questioned by police at Cardiff International Airport

A leading Welsh Muslim claims police stopped him because of his skin colour during a visit by Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy to Wales.

Asghar Ali, a Lib Dem councillor in Cardiff, and a parliamentary candidate in Caerphilly, was stopped at Cardiff International Airport on Thursday.

He was at the airport to meet Mr Kennedy when he was questioned by a detective from South Wales police.

The force said Mr Ali was not wearing identification as required.

Mr Ali, who is chair of Cardiff's Madina Mosque, told BBC Wales he believed police had singled him out.

Speaking to Mr Ali was necessary and appropriate, as visitors were required to wear ID badges South Wales Police spokesman

He added: "He (a police officer) took me to the foyer and said 'you seem to be on your own.'

"If he meant I was on my own with my colour of skin, he was right.

"But otherwise, I was with a lot of other councillors."

Jenny Randerson, chair of the Lib Dems' Welsh election campaign, said the party understood the need for security at the airport but that it was upsetting an individual was "picked out".

She added: "This seems to bear out the fears of the Muslim community that they would be unfairly singled out in the heightened atmosphere of fear of terrorism."

South Wales Police said in a statement that officers had acted appropriately.

The incident took place during Charles Kennedy's visit

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "Councillor Ali, who was not wearing an ID badge at the time, was questioned by one of our officers to confirm his identity in the foyer area of the airport.

"Subsequently he was issued with the appropriate form.

"The matter raised has been reviewed by senior officers who are satisfied that speaking to Mr Ali was necessary and appropriate, as visitors were required to wear ID badges at all times during the visit."

BBC Wales reporters covering the visit were not asked to wear ID badges and neither were they asked to show identification.

'Very unfair'

Mohammed Islam, a Plaid Cymru councillor for Riverside, Cardiff, said he had received complaints from Muslim constituents about being stopped by police.

"The issue is nothing new, it's been going on since 9/11," he said.

"I have received complaints from my constituents about stop and search.

"The Muslim community is being discriminated against...it's very unfair."

Jonathan Morgan AM, who is Conservative general election candidate for Cardiff North, said: "One can understand the need for police to ensure maximum security for people like leaders of political parties.

"However, a degree of sensitivity is also needed.

"Police should have a valid reason for stopping someone, whatever the colour of their skin."

A Welsh Labour spokesperson added: "This particular incident is a matter for South Wales Police.

"People expect tough laws on security but they also expect them to be applied fairly and without discrimination."