High-level talks will aim to tackle religious intolerance

Britain will tomorrow host high-level talks aimed at co-ordinating international action against religious intolerance.

The meeting comes amid growing concern at the ramifications of provocative anti-religious rhetoric, such as the protests provoked by the controversial Innocence of Muslims YouTube film.

Representatives from the US, Pakistan, Indonesia and the Vatican are due in London to take part in the talks, hosted by Baroness Warsi. It is seen as an opportunity to begin a dialogue between countries before problems arise and to co-ordinate international responses.

“This is about getting a core group of ministers who can pick up the phone when things happen,” said a Government source. “You saw with the protests over the Innocence of Muslims film and the killing of the US Ambassador in Libya how quickly and dangerously things can deteriorate.”