The prison review has recommended the creation of special units to house extremists

The government has been accused of burying a damning report on prison extremism which warns that staff have been reluctant to tackle Islamist behaviour for fear of being labelled “racist”.

The independent review, commissioned by the justice secretary, Michael Gove, says Islamist inmates have exploited the “sensitivity to racism” among prison staff by making false complaints that they are victims of discrimination.

The review by Ian Acheson, a former Home Office official, has recommended “specially designated units” be created in some high-security prisons to house the most “dangerous, extreme and subversive” Islamists.

The publication of the review, submitted to Gove in March and expected to be released last month, has been repeatedly delayed amid fears by Whitehall officials that it is being “toned down” to