Tories refuse to sign pact with Muslims

Iain Duncan Smith faced a new race row last night after refusing to sign a declaration affirming tolerance towards Muslims and a commitment to avoiding racially inflammatory language.

Instead, the Conservative leader sent a letter committing his party to the aims of the "Pledge to British Muslims", which has been signed by senior politicians, religious figures and newspaper editors.

Mr Duncan Smith's move – which was fiercely attacked by Muslim community leaders and Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs – echoed the pre-election furore that erupted when senior Tories refused to sign a promise to avoid electioneering that could stoke racial tension.

The pledge was launched at Westminster yesterday to mark Islam Awareness Week. It committed the signatories to working towards improving community relations and greater understanding of different faiths, condemning attacks on places of worship and worshippers and avoiding "inflammatory or discriminatory" language.

Signatories include Tony Blair, John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, and representatives of most of the main faiths in Britain.

To the organisers' dismay, Mr Duncan Smith pulled out from appearing at the launch at the weekend. In his place he sent Oliver Letwin, the shadow Home Secretary, who read out a letter of support for the awareness week.

The Conservative leader said he fully backed its aims and repudiated efforts by a small minority to sow division between citizens of different faiths. In his statement he said: "We in the Conservative Party will continue to work with British citizens of all faiths, to find ways of promoting stronger family life, better community relations and a more peaceful and secure international environment."

But organisers of the pledge said they regretted his failure to add his name to the roll-call of political and religious leaders. Yousuf Bhailok, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "I'm disappointed. The other parties and their leadership see fit to sign the pledge. I can't see why Mr Duncan Smith can't. This is a positive pledge to enhance relations in keeping with the Tories' one nation philosophy." Sher Khan, co-ordinator of the awareness week, said: "We have got the Prime Minister, we have got the leader of the Liberal Democrats. It would have been positive if we had got the Leader of the Opposition."

Khalid Mahmood, the Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said: "This is very regrettable. We're a multireligious society. This was an opportunity to show his unity with the community. By not signing he hasn't grasped the nettle."

Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokes-man, said: "Now, of all years, politicians standing together and with Muslims is important. This decision will be seen by many not just as a disappointment, but as a betrayal."

A spokesman for Mr Duncan Smith, who travelled to south Wales last night to address a conference of evangelical Christians, said he had been too busy to attend the launch. The Tory leader agreed with the sentiments of the pledge but "wanted to express support for the Islam Awareness Week in his own language".

Yesterday's launch was attended by Mr Prescott, who read out a statement of support from the Prime Minister.