Critics don't like me because of my colour, Sajid Javid says after online abuse from far right and left

Home secretary says he is accused of being both 'not brown enough' and 'too brown' online

The home secretary receives abuse 'every day' (AP)

Sajid Javid has hit out at critics on both the far right and left who use his race and religion to attack his politics.

The home secretary, who has previously spoken of being the victim of racist attacks and called a “P***”, said he had “come to expect” abuse over his Muslim background.

Speaking to Nick Robinson's Political Thinking podcast, Mr Javid said he was abused on social media every day.

“I get it from the far-left, including lots of Asians, who would say ‘he’s not brown enough’,” the Conservative MP added.

“I get it from the right, and the far-right in particular, saying ‘he’s too brown’. Those critics have got a lot in common – they don’t like me because of my colour.

“They believe, whether they’re coming from the far-left or the far-right, that someone’s colour, faith or background should define who they are – rather than the content of their character. That is something that sadly I’ve got used to. I don’t like it, I try to fight it more broadly in terms of the work I do.”

Mr Javid, who is widely expected to be a contender for the Tory leadership when Theresa May steps down, said he was not "defined" by his racial and religious background.

Asked whether the UK was “ready for a Muslim prime minister”, he replied: “I think in Britain, anyone who is capable regardless if they’re Muslim, Hindu, any religion or no religion, can be prime minister … there are some forces that wouldn’t like that but I think the forces against them are much stronger.”

He spoke as it emerged that Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, has 24-hour police protection because of online death threats.

Mr Khan, who is also from a Pakistani background, said “name-calling, trolling and threats to terrorism” had intensified since the 2016 EU referendum.

Police revealed this week that MPs are suffering “unprecedented” levels of threats and abuse.

Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu, the head of UK counterterror policing, said there was a “very clear pattern” of misogyny and racism driving abuse against politicians including Jess Phillips, Anna Soubry and Diane Abbott.

Commissioner Cressida Dick told parliament’s human rights committee “polarised opinion” on Brexit and other issues was having an impact on protest activity.

She admitted officers were “too passive” when dealing with UK “yellow vest” protesters in December and January, but have now stepped up operations around the Houses of Parliament.

“No politician, whichever party they’re in, should have to take abuse for standing up for what they believe in,” Mr Javid said.