A Labour MP has been criticised for warning that Asians in Southall are "ready to defend themselves" against Somalis who they believe are responsible for street crime.

Piara Khabra, the MP for Ealing Southall, told the BBC that if the police does not "reduce crime, I think the community has every right to organise and protect themselves".

Local Somalis branded the comments "disgraceful".

Clive Soley, Labour MP for Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush, the neighbouring constituency, said: "I regret Piara's comments. He does have a good understanding of Indian community, but he does have to take a long hard look at the other groups as well."