UK--David Blunkett, the home secretary, has been voted the most Islamophobic British politician in a web-based survey conducted by one of the Muslim community’s leading human rights organizations, Financial Times, reported.

The joint-winner of the category with Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, have not been invited but organizers plan to send them a certificate.

Of those who took part in the poll, 500 nominated Mr. Blunkett – more than for any other politician. Mr. Griffin came a close second and a panel of judges made up of Muslim lawyers and social workers named them joint winners.

The survey was conducted by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, a London-based independent research and advocacy group that is recognized as a representative organization by Whitehall and police in its dealings with the Muslim community.

Massoud Shadjareh, the chairman of the commission, said the awards were aimed to take a “satirical look at something which is seriously felt…it’s an alternative to demonstrating but it is sending out a clear message: the Muslim community is watching and listening to what you are saying”.

According to Mr. Shadjareh, the voting reflected a widely held feeling among Muslims that they were being victimized by Mr. Blunkett’s published statements and anti-terrorist and asylum laws including powers aimed at revoking citizenship from holders of dual nationality. He said voting for Mr. Griffin had come as no surprise.

A Home Office spokesman said last night “to suggest that the home secretary is Islamophobic is ridiculous and offensive”. She said he had recognized the contribution the Muslim community made to British society “on many occasions”.