The Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, Tahir Ali, has urged the government to introduce legislation criminalising the desecration of religious texts.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Ali warned that acts of "mindless desecration" could fuel "division and hatred" in society.

The common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel were officially abolished in England and Wales in 2008, and in Scotland in 2021.

Highlighting Islamophobia Awareness Month, Mr Ali said: "November marks Islamophobia Awareness Month. Last year, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the desecration of religious texts, including the Koran, despite opposition from the previous government.

"Acts of such mindless desecration only serve to fuel division and hatred within our society.

"Will the Prime Minister commit to introducing measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions?"

In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons: "Can I agree with him that desecration is awful and I think should be condemned across the House.

"We are, as I said before, committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including Islamophobia, in all of its forms."

Reacting to the exchange, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick criticised the proposal. He said: "A Labour MP calls for a law to ban criticism of prophets.

"Starmer does not rule it out. The answer was simple: Blasphemy laws have no place in the UK."