He was responding to comments by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who warned this week about being too quick to brand people with strong religious views 'extremists'.

Yesterday, more than 60 imams and leaders of Muslim groups signed an open letter to the Government accusing it of criminalising Islam.

They claimed the 'terror threat' was being exploited for political capital ahead of the election, as 'the big parties inevitably try to outdo each other in their nastiness'.

The signatories, which included journalist Yvonne Ridley and former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg, criticised the 'demonisation of Muslims in Britain ... despite their disavowal of violence and never having supported terrorist acts'.

Rev Ashenden was responding to comments by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby who has reportedly claimed young people are turning to jihad because mainstream religion is not 'exciting'.
The Archbishop said Britain's religious communities needed to do more to provide an alternative to extremism that gives youngsters a 'purpose in life'.

But Rev Ashenden told LBC radio he was 'attracted to Christianity because it invites people to the extremity of forgiveness and love'.

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