Newspaper headlines have helped to create an Islamophobic sentiment in the UK, the new boss at the Daily and Sunday Express has told MPs.

The Sun has said it stands by its story about the Queen voicing strong Eurosceptic views after Buckingham Palace said it has written to the press watchdog to register a complaint over the claims.

A Conservative MP has said he will complain to the new press regulator over the “entrapment” by Sunday newspaper which prompted a British government minister to resign.

Newspapers and magazines in the UK took the first steps today towards setting up a new press watchdog in the wake of the phone hacking scandal – and were immediately criticised by campaigners.