A MUSLIM Councillor who called for the Union Flag to be flown in schools has backed a Government report which said British values should be taught in schools as a means of tackling extremism.

Bradshaw Councillor Mudasir Dean agreed with some of the findings of Dame Louise Casey that British values should be promoted among new arrivals in the country and said they had been diluted because of ‘political correctness.’

Dame Casey’s report, commissioned by former Prime Minister David Cameron found that there are ‘worrying levels’ of segregation and social exclusion in some areas of the country, which is fuelling inequality.

She said public bodies had ignored divisive or harmful religious practices for fear of being branded as racist and highlighted issues of women in some Muslim areas who were less likely to speak English and more likely to stay at home.

Conservative Cllr Dean made national headlines in 2014 when he campaigned for every school in Bolton to fly the Union Flag and sing the national anthem.

Reacting to Dame Casey’s report, he said: “My personal belief is that British values should be taught in our schools from a primary school level and not just to new arrivals in the country but to people who were born here as well.

“I do think that British values have been diluted because of political correctness.”

He added: “If you look at the religion of Islam specifically, it has been a very progressive religion in many areas and has made amazing progress in areas like science and technology, but its very important that Muslim women receive a good education in this country, not just for them but for their children who they can pass important skills and knowledge onto.”

Chan Parmar, of Bolton Interfaith Council, added: “I think the report does highlight the great challenges we face.

“Dealing with these is down to the Government, education establishments and the different communities involved.

“We all need a sense of belonging to our country and we need to have those British values of respect, courtesy and kindness to one another.”