Muslim women must have the same protection as every other woman in the UK and not live in fear of facing a Sharia law in Britain, an MP has said.

Shipley MP Philip Davies has urged government to support a Bill by Baroness Cox which would abolish Sharia councils and ensure women are treated fairly.

Mr Davies said: “Baroness Cox has long campaigned in the Lords for Sharia councils to be abolished because of the unfair way many women are treated by them. The Government must  support Baroness Cox’s private member’s bill on this issue and ensure Muslim women enjoy the same protection under the law as everyone else does and not feel pressurised in having their cases determined by a Sharia council rather than British court.”

Baroness Cox believes Britain’s unregulated Sharia courts are operating a parallel Muslim legal system in the UK.

Equalities Minister Justine Greening said: “The issue raised is one of upmost importance and we know there are concerns about Sharia including those raised by Baroness Cox’s Bill, and we take those concerns extremely seriously.”

In May an independent review into Sharia was commissioned by then Home Secretary Theresa May. Ms Greening said Government will respond to the Bill at its next reading in Parliament.