Iqbal Mohamed spoke out against Tory MP Richard Holden's efforts to bring in new legislation to prohibit the marriage of first cousins:

'An estimated 35-50 per cent of all sub-Saharan African populations either prefer or accept cousin marriages and it is extremely common in the Middle East and in South Asia. The reason the practice is so common is that ordinary people see family intermarriage overall as something that is very positive, something that helps build family bonds, and helps put families on a more secure financial foothold.'

Richard Holden warned there had been a 'worrying trend' of an increased rate of cousins marrying among some communities in Britain.

Holden outlined 'health, freedom and our national values' as three areas of concern over family intermarriage in the UK.

He urged the Labour Government to look as his Bill as a 'vehicle for positive change in our country', adding: 'Because, in the end, it's about more than one marriage - it's about the values and foundations of our society and our democracy.'