An American Muslim who was detained at Heathrow Airport after flying into the UK believes she was "judged" because of her faith.

Ayan Mohamud, 18, left the US for the first time to visit family members in Leicester.

But after landing she was questioned by Border force officials and kept in a holding room for more than half a day.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) said the checks were for immigration purposes.

Keith Vaz, Leicester East MP, has said he will raise the case in parliament under his role as chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Miss Mohamud told the BBC : "It was inhuman. (It) hit me that I was being judged based on what I was wearing on my head.

"I felt that I was detained because I'm Muslim.

"After the Paris incident happened, [the UKBA] feel that everyone wearing a scarf needs to be checked thoroughly.

"I felt it was inhuman for them to treat me that way."

A Home Office spokesman said: "To ensure the correct decisions are reached it is sometimes necessary for Border Force to detain passengers while checks are carried out to ensure they qualify for entry to the UK.

"The passenger was given leave to enter the UK as soon as officers were able to make further enquiries, including in the United States."