"Islam is a great religion whose peaceful principles are being warped by those who want to turn it on its head and inflict division and violence elsewhere."

The Deputy Prime Minister's comments came as he fielded questions from people at North Watford Mosque this morning.

Nick Clegg held an hour-long question and answer session with Lib Dem Mayor Dorothy Thornhill at the mosque in North Western Avenue.

The Deputy Prime Minister addressed the country’s deficit, the crisis in Kashmir, school places and employment rates.

When asked about radicalisation in the town, Mr Clegg said: "Any type of extremism is unacceptable in a peaceful democratic open society, it is illegal. It is abhorrent to the values of compassion and mutual respect that bind us together regardless of our religion.

"There are those that have warped or distorted the great religion of Islam for their own violent ends. And it is most offensive of all to the Muslim communities of Britain.

"Islam is a great religion whose peaceful principles are being warped by those who want to turn it on its head and inflict division and violence elsewhere.

"What we need to do in Government is work with you so the moderate non-violent mainstream Muslim communities are heard loud and clear.

"That is why I am profoundly opposed to any measures which stereotype Muslim communities. It is a source of huge sorrow to me that we see a rise in islamophobic incidents. We must unite, whether you are from the Muslim faith, Christian faith, no faith, Jewish, from the North, South, young or old we must protect the values we all hold dear.

"When we see grotesque violence, like those in Paris some weeks ago, done in the name in Islam you have a powerful role in saying violence conducted in the name of Islam is not conducted in your name."

About 50 people were invited to the session.