The MP for Chipping Barnet has condemned the suspected arson attack at an Islamic community centre in Muswell Hill.

Theresa Villiers has said she was “shocked” by the fire in her constituency, which gutted the Somalian Islamic Bravanese Welfare Centre in Coppetts Road in the early hours of this morning.

She said: “This kind of hate crime is absolutely despicable. This is not just an attack on the Muslim community, it is an attack on all of us and our values.

"We are a highly diverse multi-ethnic borough with excellent community cohesion in Barnet. We should under no circumstances allow violent extremists to divide us with this kind of outrage.

“I am deeply concerned about the impact this disgraceful crime will have on those who use the Bravanese Islamic Centre. They have all my sympathies at this difficult time.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the work of local firefighters in their efforts to deal with the fire. I am keeping in close touch with the police investigating this matter.”

Kate Salinger, the councillor for Barnet Borough Council's Coppetts ward, also expressed her sadness at hearing the community centre had burnt down.

She said: “I pay tribute to the brave firefighters who dealt with the blaze. The Bravanese Somali Community is peaceful and loving; it deserves all the support the community can give it at this difficult time.

“Investigating officers must be allowed to make their enquiries and I trust if anyone in the community has any information relating to the fire, they will come forward.”