A report that reveals prison staff are relucant to tackle Islamic extremists has been delayed.

The report claims the prison staff hold back because they fear being labelled racist.

The report also says the most dangerous, subversive and extreme Islamists could be kept in designated units apart from other prisoners as one way of preventing them recruiting other prisoners to their cause.

There are more than 12,000 Muslims in English and Welsh jails. About 130 are in prison on terrorism offences.

The report, by Ian Acheson, formerly of the Home Office, was commissioned by the justice secretary Michael Gove.

According to The Sunday Times, there are fears the report is being delayed in order to tone down criticism of the National Offender Management Service. "The findings are very uncomfortable for the government, because they will leave Noms bruised and embarrassed," an unnamed official told the newspaper.

Members of the review team visited jails in Holland, Spain and France.