Birmingham MP Jess Phillips has praised the local woman who stood up to the leader of the EDL when the extreme right-wing group came to protest in the city.

She said Saffiyah Khan was a "beacon of hope" because of the way she faced the English Defence League's anger with a smile.

Ms Phillips told The Telegraph: "Saffiyah personifies the Birmingham I know, not just because she is a young bold Asian woman but her laid back attitude in the image says "we're better than you think".

"I feel proud to be from a place that rejects far right hatred and Saffiyah is a beacon of that hope."