The Conservatives yesterday refused to sign up to a pledge vowing religious tolerance of Muslims at the start of "Islamic awareness week".

But shadow home secretary Oliver Letwin and party leader Iain Duncan Smith gave messages of support and Central Office said that the Tories were unwilling to sign declarations drafted by other organisations. The pledge was signed by John Prescott and Simon Hughes.

The failure of the Tories to sign up to Islamic awareness week has prompted black Conservativer peer Lord Taylor to launch an attack on his party's "pig-headed" attitude.