A Bradford MP has moved to quell fears that extremist doctrine has been filtering into schools in the city.

Claims have been made that teachers in Bradford are fighting to prevent a takeover of majority-Muslim state schools by a group linked with the alleged Trojan Horse plotters in Birmingham.

But David Ward, who represents Bradford East, said: “We are not at the same level that they are experiencing in Birmingham.

“People (in Bradford) want local schools that are at the heart of the community, that are providing education not an enhanced faith provision. They like the fact that they are secular schools.”

Mr Ward talked of the importance of “high quality” headteachers for the city. He said: “We have seen some really good headteachers leave Bradford – we cannot afford to lose some to other areas.”