PRIME Minister David Cameron has leapt to the defence of a man who hopes create a mosque in Chipping Norton and has condemned a “scaremongering” leaflet circulated around the town.

Mr Cameron was responding to a letter delivered to town councillor Tahirul Hasan who hopes to open a Muslim place of worship in the town.

It urged people not to reelect Mr Cameron and warned residents about the ‘dangers’ of allowing a mosque to be built.

Entitled ‘Mosque alert’, it says: “A mosque or Islamic centre is being built in your area” which is supported by “your local Member of Parliament.”

It adds Mr Cameron has “set up a special task force to ensure your children kneel before Allah”.

After reading a copy of the leaflet, Mr Cameron said: “I condemn the ‘Nationalist Alliance’ for appalling behaviour, scaremongering and seeking to divide our community.

I support Muslims in Chipping Norton having somewhere to pray. The idea that this means ensuring ‘your children will kneel before Allah’ is ludicrous.

People in Chippy will see through this sort of nonsense.”

Town councillor David Heyes said he was also concerned.

“I was one of those who supported the prayer room,” he said.

“I think it’s really nasty, particularly if you know Hasan. He does an enormous amount around the town.

These leaflets are stirring up hatred.”

Father-of-three Coun Hasan was set to convert a shop in Hitchman’s Mews into a mosque earlier this year after securing planning permission.

But his plans were left in tatters after the shop’s landlord George Wissinter received a sinister phone call threatening to burn it down if the plans went ahead.

He had almost given up hope of finding somewhere but after speaking to Mr Cameron in his Witney constituency surgery, the Prime Minister said he would do all he could to support the venture.

The story was picked up by many national news outlets after appearing on the Cotswold Journal website last week.