Top Tory David Davis in row over 'Burn down' Asian housing block slur

The Conservatives wrote to Communities Secretary Hazel Blears demanding a formal apology for the smear and asking her to intervene in what they called the 'very worst kind of politics'.

The extraordinary allegation against Mr Davis, one of the most senior members of the Conservative front bench, was made by Professor Michael Keith, a member of the Government's Commission on Integration and Cohesion who is standing for Labour in a council by-election.

He claimed Mr Davis had made inflammatory remarks about a new day and sheltered accommodation centre in Tower Hamlets in London which triggered a row three years ago when it was effectively reserved for elderly Muslims.

Scroll down for more

Professor Keith, taking part in a BBC radio interview, Professor Keith demanded: 'Can you tell my why it was that David Davis stood outside (the centre) and demanded that it be burnt down? ....

'The Conservative government spokesperson demanded that Sonali Gardens be torn down. He was on the front page of national newspapers for saying that.'

Last night shadow minister for cohesion Sayeeda Warsi wrote to Miss Blears urging her to condemn Mr Keith's comments, which she said were a 'profound insult'.

Mr Davis said he was horrified by the 'totally false' allegation, which Professor Keith had refused to withdraw despite being given the chance to do so. Mr Davis's remarks, reported in the Daily Mail, in fact merely warned the scheme could further segregation.

He said then: 'There would rightly be outrage if a council offered a whites-only housing block. I firmly believe that we should look to achieve integration rather than segregation in our society. This is the sort of thoughtless policy that feed extremism.'

The shadow home secretary said last night: 'Michael Keith has twisted beyond recognition a reasonable statement I made three years ago.

'It is totally false and utterly misleading to say I called for Sonali Gardens day centre to be burnt down. It is inflammatory to the community. It is insulting to me. The very worst kind of politics.

'I expect a full apology.'

Professor Keith, a friend of Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, is a former leader of Tower Hamlets council who lost his seat to the Respect party and is now fighting to get back onto the council.

He said: 'My remarks were clearly not meant to be taken literally but metaphorically,'