The home secretary has been voted as Britain's most Islamophobic politician.

David Blunkett will share the award with BNP leader Nick Griffin after he gained the most votes in an online poll run by the Islamic Human Rights Commission.

The organisation, which seeks to promote justice "for all peoples regardless of their racial, confessional or political background", will announce the result at "The Annual Islamophobic Awards".

The commission presents the awards as "an unparalleled night of fun and entertainment" which "takes a satirical look at the year's events".

Despite the flippant nature of the award, critics say it demonstrates genuine disquiet amongst the Islamic community about the home secretary's approach.

Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the commission, said the awards should "send a clear message" to the Home Office.

"The Muslim community is watching and listening to what you are saying," he said.

David Blunkett has made no secret of his desire to encourage public discussion on race relations.

Some Muslims feel that Blunkett has gone too far in courting controversy.

In the past he has remarked that ethnic tensions arising from asylum applications are "like a coiled spring".

And he once stated that "ethnic minorities in Britain should adopt British norms of acceptability."

The introduction of new laws to crack down on terrorism have also been identified as a reason why the home secretary has been nominated for the award.

Plans to strip citizenship from duel passport holders in the event of them acting in a way that is prejudicial to the national interest is felt to be biased against members of the Islamic community.

A Home Office spokeswoman rubbished claims that the home secretary was in any way Islamophobic.

"To suggest that the home secretary is Islamophobic is ridiculous and offensive," she said.

The home secretary will not attend Saturday's awards ceremony although organisers plan to present a certificate to his department.