A leading anti-extremism campaigner has been selected to stand for the Liberal Democrats in a key marginal seat at the next general election.

Maajid Nawaz is a former Hizb ut-Tahrir activist who now chairs the Quilliam Foundation, which works to challenge radicalism.

He will stand in the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency in north-west London in what is likely to be one of the most hotly contested battles at the May 2015 election.

Mr Nawaz said he was “looking forward to running for public office” and will continue his work at the foundation while co-ordinating his campaign.

Earlier this month, Education Secretary Michael Gove praised him for leading the campaign to warn British Muslims of the dangers of radical groups.

Labour’s Hampstead and Kilburn candidate will be Tulip Siddiq. The Camden councillor has worked on Ed Miliband’s leadership campaign and as a caseworker for former MP Harry Cohen.

Ms Siddiq has praised the new JW3 Jewish community centre, which is in the constituency.

Simon Marcus was selected to stand for the Conservatives earlier this year. He is attempting to become the first Jewish MP in the constituency for more than 20 years.

Mr Marcus stood against British National Party leader Nick Griffin in Barking in 2010. Although the seat was held by Labour’s Margaret Hodge, Mr Marcus succeeded in pushing the far-right BNP into third place.

Faith and Communities Minister Baroness Warsi spoke at Brondesbury Park Synagogue on Monday to support Mr Marcus’s campaign.