The Muslim Council of Britain is to seek urgent meetings with the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, and the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, to ask for clarification of the issues raised by today's very disturbing news story in the Sunday Times regarding the alleged bugging of confidential discussions between Sadiq Khan MP and one of his constituents, Babar Ahmad.

`Today's revelations are simply appalling and raise a whole range of vital issues to do with confidentiality and how to hold to account the improper behaviour of senior police officers. This kind of behaviour cannot but do immense damage to the level of trust between Muslim communities and the police. We look forward to hearing the outcome of the inquiry into this affair announced by the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw,' said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.