Repealing the blasphemy laws to include non-Christian religions is a vital key to combating racism claims Charles Kennedy.

As the issue of racism continues to dominate the headlines the Liberal Democrat leader launched plans to help ethnic minorities.

Kennedy called for a new Equality Commission to be set up to oversee equal rights laws and for the police to create specialist anti-racism units to fight race crimes.

He also called for laws governing blasphemy to be overhauled and updated to include other faiths such as Islam and Buddhism.

Other proposals included a pledge to repeal Labour's asylum laws, ending the system of giving asylum-seekers benefits in vouchers and dispersing refugees around the country.

Kennedy added to the controversy of recent days by accusing Tory leader William Hague of failing to control his own party.

He said his party offered real opportunities to ethnic minority groups.

"Liberal Democrats recognise that minority ethnic groups in Britain look not for special favours, but for equality of opportunity. Liberal Democrats offer minority ethnic groups in Britain a real chance for real change," he said.