Prominent UK women tell rightwingers: stop linking immigration to sexual abuse

Exclusive: Open letter says politicians are exploiting violence against women to fuel hate and division'

Prominent women including cultural figures, politicians and campaigners have signed a letter criticising rightwing attempts to link sexual violence in Britain to asylum seekers.

Signatories include the musicians Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church and Anoushka Shankar as well as Labour, Green and independent MPs including Kim Johnson, Ellie Chowns, Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana.