Labour MP Ann Cryer today defended her view that Bangladeshi and Pakistani immigrants should learn English.

The Keighley politician said she had been taken aback by the barrage of criticism following her comments, but had been wary of supporting her claims with fact in case they were used by right-wing groups.

She hit back at Bradford Council's Labour Group, which has demanded a National Labour Party investigation into the matter, calling its handling of the affair "shabby".

Mrs Cryer's Keighley and Ilkley constituency has a large Asian population. She said messages of support she had been sent included one from Dr Ghayassuddin Siddiqui of the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain and another from Lord Herman Ouseley, who led the district's race relations review.

"I have had a very good response from many people in the Asian community, but not necessarily in West Yorkshire," she said.

"I've worked with the Asian community for 30 years as a volunteer, MP and MP's wife. When you start getting people saying nasty things about you, it's unpleasant. I have had a few sleepless nights - not because I've doubted what I was doing, but because people can't come into a debate without mud-slinging.

"I raised the subject as a result of the Bradford riots and the Ouseley report, which said we must have an open debate."

Mrs Cryer made headlines when she said she thought language problems were at the root of poverty and low achievements and called for immigration reforms. Today she said reports had misrepresented her case.

"What I said was that if things do not improve in five years, we need to look at systems of English on entry into the country. Failing that, sponsors should be responsible for the husband or wife learning English on entry," she said.

"There is a nursery school in Keighley where 95 per cent of children who enter at four years old do not speak English. I know that all my facts and figures are right, but I don't want to play into the hands of the British National Party or National Front."

Mrs Cryer said Bradford councillors and Asian leaders had refused to discuss the issue with her and she was considering writing to Bradford Council's Labour Group before their next meeting.