High Wycombe’s mayor said he wanted to affirm his commitment to community relations in his speech in the market square this morning.

Cllr Khalil Ahmed used his public address by the Red Lion statue in the market square to call for understanding among residents from different backgrounds and communities, saying "integration and tolerance are key".

In addition to comments at recent public engagements, he admitted his words were intended to draw a line under the criticism he received in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, when he was accused of sympathising with views on the depiction of the prophet Mohammed in a statement he issued.

He told the BFPafter the speech: "We have got a wonderful town. It was a message of goodwill, peace and harmony, of tolerance and to understand each other.

"I wanted to reaffirm my message. It is the same message for all and I think the message was very clear."

Cllr Ahmed became only the third person to deliver a speech from atop the platform next to the statue by the old Red Lion hotel – now home to Iceland and Poundworld.

It was part of the annual mayoral custom of greeting the town’s market traders.

The mayor gave a history of the market and its importance to High Wycombe, but his decision to use the speech to underscore a commitment to community relations was clear.

It came after Cllr Ahmed, whose family come from Pakistan, was heavily criticised in January when a statement condemning the Paris attacks incouded a comment that "insulting a person’s fundamental beliefs was likely to lead to unrest".

Today's speech was well-received, but a brief and isolated argument flared when a passerby in what appeared to be an English Defence League sweatshirt began arguing with assembled councillors.

In his address, Cllr Ahmed said: "We are all very different people. We come from different places – physically, culturally and spiritually. We want to achieve different things.

"But we are all part of the same community. We all work together. We live together. We are neighbours.

"Our differences make us stronger and they make life interesting. They stimulate thought and give us ideas. They provide energy and drive.

"We should look after one another and protect one another from conflict, from crime and from hunger and cold. Integration and tolerance are key.

"I believe that dialogue and communication is the key to removing barriers and misunderstandings."