Edinburgh, May 15 : A row has broken out over the creation of Scotland's first faith-based police group.

The Muslim Police Association (MPA) is being set up in Strathclyde, which has about 30 Muslim officers, and it has the backing of Chief Constable Steven House.

But the government-funded organisation that represents black and minority ethnic officers in Scotland says creating the MPA will "weaken" the voice of multiculturalism within the police service.

Semperscotland, which was formed five years to help eradicate institutional racism within the service, was quoted by The Scotsman as saying the new association threatens to damage its ability to support the country's 200 BME officers and improve relations between the police and the diverse minority communities.

"I think the ethnic groups' cause as a whole will be better served if we have one group, as opposed to lots of different bodies," the paper quoted Dilawer Singh, Chairman of Semperscotland, as saying.

Amar Shakoor, the Strathclyde constable who was Scotland's first Muslim officer, is spearheading the MPA plan.

It is understood the association is being set up to provide Muslim officers with more support and improve relations between the police and the Muslim community, which were tested after last year's terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport.