The Keighley branch of the Labour Party has backed comments made by MP Ann Cryer which hit national headlines.

Their motion supporting the general thrust of her comments comes two weeks after Bradford Council's Labour Group voted for a motion condemning Mrs Cryer's views.

The row flared three weeks ago when in a Commons speech the Keighley MP said she felt there should be tighter controls on non-English speaking immigrants entering the UK to stop the country "importing poverty" she received widespread criticism.

But she has defended her comments saying she fears limited English gives minority communities, particularly Moslem ones, limited work and social opportunities.

Now Cllr John Cope chairman of Keighley Constituency Labour Party Executive Committee has written to Bradford Labour leader Ian Greenwood, local MPs, Keighley Labour Councillors and Lord Ouseley who compiled the Bradford race review telling them of their backing.

He writes that after a meeting with the MP on July 25 the Keighley committee has agreed to "support her attempts to improve the well being and achievements of migrant communities in order to assist them to prosper in Britain."

Cllr Cope told the Keighley News: "We are supporting her in the general thrust of what she's doing with regard to trying to improve matters for all migrant communities.

"It's important that these sort of vital issues raised by Ann are properly addressed rather than kicked around like a political football.

"We feel our resolution is straightforward and constructive. I don't think it would be helpful to discuss what other people did."

Cllr Cope says the group will take no further action until Mrs Cryer completes a 'fact-finding' mission she is undertaking in response to Bradford Labour Group's criticism her comments were not based on any accurate information.

Mrs Cryer says: "I have drafted a letter and am going to put in facts and figures about local schools and national figures."

These will be discussed when Bradford Labour Group next meets in September.

But Mrs Cryer says she has still not been given a copy of the resolution made by the group.

"They passed it two weeks ago last Monday," she says, "It's discourteous. I think there's some embarrassment about that.

"So I don't know what they're saying, whether there's disagreement, embarrassment or what.

"The whole thing is shrouded in vagueness."

Mrs Cryer says she has had around 200 letters supporting her views from both Asians and whites.

But she added: "It's all been very unpleasant and unfortunate.

"I knew when I raised the issue it would be contentious but it's exceeded even my expectations. It doesn't put me off and I'll go ahead and continue my arguments."

Letters and Opinion page 8