An MP today hit out at the Arts Council for asking people's sexual orientation when applying for a grant.

Shipley MP Philip Davies condemned the actions, saying the consideration of grants should be based only on an artistic perspective and how good they are.

The Tory MP has tabled a Commons motion calling for the form to be changed, citing a recent ICM poll which suggested 80 per cent of people opposed the idea of stereotyping people by ticking boxes. And he said objections from eminent actors and actresses should be taken into account.

He said: "It is absolutely ridiculous to ask people what their sexuality is when they are applying for a grant, that should be a personal matter. It should be irrelevant what a person's sexuality is but about what are the best projects to be giving out grants to."

Earlier this year, Mr Davies told the Commons the Arts Council grant application forms asked organisations to supply figures on how many members of their management committee were "bisexual, gay, lesbian or heterosexual".

He questioned why funding should be based on people's sexual orientation. Six other MPs have signed the petition.