GB News host Martin Daubney has torn into broadcaster Fahima Mahomed after she claimed that those criticising a ban on women and girls from a mosque's park run were part of an "anti-Muslim campaign".

Shutting down Ms Mahomed's argument, Martin declared that the event was "blatant sexism" and "cultural apartheid".

Women and girls over the age of 12 were banned by the East London Mosque from taking part in a charity park run.

The event allowed men, boys and girls under 12 to join, but forbade female teenagers and women from taking part. Mosque leaders insist that their policy does "not breach" the Equality Act, but campaigners have branded it "plainly unlawful" and "aggressively sexist".

Martin Daubney brutally slapped down Fahima Mahomed's claim that criticism of a Mosque park run is an 'anti-Muslim campaign'

As Martin told Ms Mahomed that the ban was "blatant sexism", the broadcaster hit back: "I think this whole issue has been taken widely out of proportion. And frankly, it's because it's the organiser happened to be Muslim.

"The London mosque acted entirely within the law. the Equality Act of 2010, section 195 and schedule 23 clearly allows single sex events where it's a proportionate way of respecting religious and cultural beliefs. The same legal exemption covers women-only gyms, swimming sessions and the race for life, which was women-only for decades.

"We've never seen outrage when Jewish, Orthodox or Christian Catholics groups hold gender specific gatherings. Nobody calls that discriminatory. We call it religious freedom, yet when a muslim charity does something similar, suddenly it's national news. And that's a double standard for me."

As Ms Mahomed argued that the event was "open for everyone to attend", Martin hit back, stating that women and girls were "not allowed to take part".

The event attracted more than 1,600 participants who raised money for 40 different charitable organisations | X

Martin fumed: "It's not open for everyone to attend. It calls itself inclusive and family friendly, it isn't either of those things. It's misogynistic, and that's because the Muslim organisers of this, they've got a problem with women going for a jog.

"Why are Muslims afraid or ashamed or clamping down on the participation in sports of young women, something which should be thoroughly encouraged in the United Kingdom? This is British law, not Sharia law."

Ms Mahomed furiously snapped back: "This is not Sharia law, it is nothing to do with that. If you're so genuinely concerned about gender equality, maybe focus on pay, power and safety, not a 5K fundraiser that helps local people.

"Real inclusion means respecting differences, not policing it, and at the end of the day, this was in a park open where everyone can come and watch. Like I just mentioned, we've got gender restricted events and practices that are not unique to the Muslim community."

Shutting down Ms Mahomed's argument, Martin stated: "It's cultural apartheid. It's a total exclusion of all of the women in this Muslim community. How on earth, as a Muslim woman, can you support other Muslim women not being allowed to participate in a bogus, inclusive and family event? It simply paints the picture to the most moderate people watching this, that the Muslim community is patriarchal and has got a problem with women."

Ms Mahomed told GB News that the event displayed 'blatant sexism' and 'cultural apartheid'

Arguing that the criticism is simply an "anti-Muslim campaign", Ms Mahomed claimed: "That's just your framing, it's just an anti-Muslim campaign, and that's what exactly what it is. It's the exact sort of behaviour critics single out when only it's a Muslim. So again, I just think it's a campaign against Muslims.

"It's just selective outrage and cultural biases, and media and political backlash often escalates when Islam is involved, and the same energy isn't shown for other faith-based separations, it doesn't just happen."

Martin concluded: "You would like to pose this as a campaign against the Muslim community, perhaps you'd even like to drop the word Islamophobia in there, but I put it to you, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets who is taking down English flags and banning Muslim women from fun runs, this isn't Britain, this is insane.

"It's selective outrage if you're a Muslim woman, because you can't take part."

In a statement, an East London Mosque spokesman said: "The suggestion that our event breaches the Equality Act is entirely incorrect.

"Single-gender sporting events are lawful under Section 195 and Schedule 23 of the Act, and are common across the UK, including the Women's Run Series, Nike Women's 10K, and gender-segregated swimming sessions at Orthodox Jewish facilities like Manchester Jewish Community Centre.

"The Muslim Charity Run operates under the same legal framework as these established events."