DEWSBURY MP Shahid Malik was crowned the proud winner for the best maiden speech of this Parliament in the House Magazine annual awards in Westminster.

The prestigious House Magazine Awards are seen as the Oscars of the political world.

The maiden speech award has the peculiar attribute of being given only once every four years.

Mr Malik beat 117 other new MPs to gain the prize.

In his maiden speech in June, he made an impassioned appeal for MPs to pass the second reading of the Government bill to outlaw incitement to religious hatred.

He told the Commons: "Fundamentally, this bill is not about abstract notions of freedom of expression, but about very real notions of freedom from oppression.

"Of course, the new law must apply equally to all those who inflame discord and incite hatred."

The 35-year-old Muslim MP described being beaten up as a teenager because "we were all seen as Pakis and we were all fair game".

He said he was receiving anonymous mail "because I am a Muslim".

Mr Malik said he was honoured to received the award for best maiden speech and thanked the people of Dewsbury, Heckmondwike and Mirfield who had put their faith in him.

He said that the maiden speech was a daunting experience.

He continued: "I felt deeply humbled on receiving the award, particularly because it is voted on by MPs - it really is the perfect Christmas present.

"The maiden speech is always the one that MPs are reminded of throughout their careers.

"Protocol dictates that you talk both about your constituency and the subject of the debate on the day you make your speech.

"I was very lucky because there was so much to say about Dewsbury, about all those that had lived here and that had helped change the world for the better."