A HUMAN-rights activist and author from Bradford has been appointed to tackle extremism.

The Government announced that Sara Khan will lead the newly-created Commission for Countering Extremism.

Mrs Khan, who grew up in Bradford and still has family in the city, has campaigned for women's rights and counter extremist causes.

She said she was "honoured and humbled" to be chosen to lead the organisation.

Mrs Khan, author of The Battle For British Islam, said: "I recognise the scale of the challenge we face in confronting extremism and I am deeply committed to this role.

"I will create a commission that is forthright in challenging extremism in the name of our shared values, fundamental freedoms and human rights."

But former Conservative chairwoman Baroness Warsi, from Dewsbury, branded the appointment "deeply disturbing".

Writing on Twitter, she said: "Sara has unfortunately been a strong advocate of the Government's policy of disengagement, a policy which many, including members of the police and intelligence services, consider has damaged the important battle to engage Britain's Muslim communities.

"For the Commissioner to be effective the person had to be an independent thinker, both connected to and respected by a cross section of British Muslims.

"Sara is sadly seen by many as simply a creation of and mouthpiece for the Home Office."

The Muslim Council of Britain also expressed "grave concerns" about Mrs Khan's appointment.

Harun Khan, secretary general, said: "The fight against terrorism requires equal partnership between all parties, including Muslim communities.

"This appointment risks sending a clear and alarming message that the Government has no intention of doing so.

"Sadly it will be seen as a move to placate those small sections of society who see Muslims as foreign, alien, rather than as equal citizens in this country."

Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who announced the appointment, said: "The Commission for Countering Extremism will form a crucial part of this Government's work to stop the scourge of extremism in all its forms and Sara Khan is expertly qualified to lead its important work.

"She will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the commission which will prove vital as it works to identify and challenge extremism and provide independent advice to the Government."

Mrs Khan, a mother of two daughters, who studied pharmacy before taking an MA in human rights, co-founded Inspire, in 2008, a non-governmental women's rights and counter-extremism organisation and launched the MakingAStand campaign in 2014, a grassroots movement to reject the so-called Islamic State.

She is expected to take up her post in the next month and the appointment is for a period of three years.