A LOCAL MP has added his voice to condemnation of an anti-war protest which marred a parade to honour British soldiers returning from Iraq.

Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik, a Muslim, spoke out after ugly scenes in Luton.

Two people were arrested after a disturbance broke out as the soldiers paraded in Luton town centre.

A group of Muslim protesters, who were hemmed in by police as the parade marched past, waved placards with slogans including: “Anglian Soldiers: Butchers of Basra” and “Anglian Soldiers: cowards, killers, extremists.”

One also read: “British Government Terrorist Government.”

Justice Minister Mr Malik said: “All decent people, irrespective of religion will be sickened by the antics of this group of extremists.

“Our soldiers do an incredibly brave job all round the world. And in Afghanistan, as well as their military role, they are also engaged in development projects which are improving the quality of life of ordinary Afghans, not to mention the two million girls who now attend school.

“They don’t ask to serve anywhere, it is politicians who make that decision.

“All soldiers do is loyally serve Queen and country. The idea that they are ‘baby killers’ is profoundly repugnant.

“The antics of this very small group will damage community relations and will give ammunition to the far right wing.

“I am proud of the fact that I am patron of the Dewsbury branch of the Royal British Legion and these extremists in Luton no more represent ordinary Muslims than the Real IRA represent ordinary Irish people.

“If these people want an Islamic state as they profess my advice is to go to an Islamic country. Britain is multi-faith and we are proud of that fact as indeed we are of our soldiers.”

Gordon Brown praised the thousands of people who lined the streets of Luton, Bedfordshire to show their support for the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, known as The Poachers.

But the Prime Minister expressed disappointment that a “tiny minority” of the crowd, who held up banners accusing the soldiers of being cowards and extremists, had tried to disrupt the event.

The soldiers took to the street again yesterday as crowds gathered in defiant mood to watch them march. The troops were given a warm welcome in Watford.