In the aftermath of the terrible tragedy in London last week one point should be made clear.

Those who carried out these attacks, just like others before them from all backgrounds, colours and creeds, are just plain evil and criminal. There is no other way to put it. As one Muslim correspondent said this week, those who carried out the attacks have broken every rule of civilised behaviour known to humanity.

No matter what justification may be put forward, surely the very act of deliberately setting out to kill and maim innocent people disbars them from any right they may have to claim they were acting under the banner of any faith -- unless it is one they have invented to suit their purpose.

As the religious leaders of all faiths within our midst said this week, terrorism is wrong and it has no place in Muslim or Christian belief.

What is imperative is that we refuse to give in to the terrorists, who, no matter where they strike, want to sow fear and distrust.

London is the most multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural city on Earth. In its own way Keighley is a mini-reflection of that situation -- something which we should be proud of and celebrate.

The bombers couldn't care less who were their victims. The vastly differing background of those who were killed or injured must now lead to a unity among all Britons, with the joint aim of defeating extremism no matter where it originates.

MP Ann Cryer raised an interesting point when she spoke during the reading of the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill, in the House of Commons.

She is not convinced that legislation that encourages further segregation, however well intentioned, will provide the protections it aims to deliver.

She asked if the Bill was taking us in the wrong direction. Perhaps, she said, we should be looking in the opposite direction and removing the blasphemy laws from the statute book so that we are all of equal status.

For that is what we are.