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Straw 'opposes all Muslim veils' Straw 'opposes all Muslim veils'
(10 minutes later)
Cabinet Minister Jack Straw has said he would prefer Muslim women not to wear veils at all.Cabinet Minister Jack Straw has said he would prefer Muslim women not to wear veils at all.
The Commons leader said he did not want to be "prescriptive" but he believed that covering people's faces could make community relations more difficult.The Commons leader said he did not want to be "prescriptive" but he believed that covering people's faces could make community relations more difficult.
His comments come after it emerged Mr Straw asks Muslim women visiting his constituency surgeries if they would mind removing veils. His comments come after it emerged that Mr Straw asks Muslim women visiting his constituency surgeries in Blackburn if they would mind removing veils.
Some Muslim women have called his remarks insulting.Some Muslim women have called his remarks insulting.
But other Muslims say they understand his concerns.But other Muslims say they understand his concerns.
Meeting strangersMeeting strangers
Mr Straw is Labour MP for Blackburn, where about 30% of residents are Muslim.Mr Straw is Labour MP for Blackburn, where about 30% of residents are Muslim.
He sparked controversy when he told his local paper he asked female constituents visiting his surgery to uncover their faces - something they had all so far agreed to do.He sparked controversy when he told his local paper he asked female constituents visiting his surgery to uncover their faces - something they had all so far agreed to do.
Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if he would rather the veils be discarded completely, Mr Straw replied: "Yes. It needs to be made clear I am not talking about being prescriptive but with all the caveats, yes, I would rather."Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if he would rather the veils be discarded completely, Mr Straw replied: "Yes. It needs to be made clear I am not talking about being prescriptive but with all the caveats, yes, I would rather."
Find out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphicsFind out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphics
Mr Straw explained the impact he thought veils could have in a society where watching facial expressions was important for contact between different people.Mr Straw explained the impact he thought veils could have in a society where watching facial expressions was important for contact between different people.
"Communities are bound together partly by informal chance relations between strangers - people being able to acknowledge each other in the street or being able pass the time of day," he said."Communities are bound together partly by informal chance relations between strangers - people being able to acknowledge each other in the street or being able pass the time of day," he said.
"That's made more difficult if people are wearing a veil. That's just a fact of life."That's made more difficult if people are wearing a veil. That's just a fact of life.
"I understand the concerns but I hope, however, there can be a mature debate about this."I understand the concerns but I hope, however, there can be a mature debate about this.
"I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities.""I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities."
'Separateness' fears'Separateness' fears
Mr Straw, seen as a potential candidate for Labour's deputy leadership, stressed it was a personal decision for women whether they wore veils.Mr Straw, seen as a potential candidate for Labour's deputy leadership, stressed it was a personal decision for women whether they wore veils.
"What I've been struck by when I've been talking to some of the ladies concerned is that they had not, I think, been fully aware of the potential in terms of community relations," he said."What I've been struck by when I've been talking to some of the ladies concerned is that they had not, I think, been fully aware of the potential in terms of community relations," he said.
"I mean, they'd thought of it just as a statement for themselves, in some cases they regard themselves as very religious - and I respect that - but as I say, I just wanted to put this issue on the table.""I mean, they'd thought of it just as a statement for themselves, in some cases they regard themselves as very religious - and I respect that - but as I say, I just wanted to put this issue on the table."
He added: "You cannot force people where they live, that's a matter of choice and economics, but you can be concerned about the implications of separateness and I am."He added: "You cannot force people where they live, that's a matter of choice and economics, but you can be concerned about the implications of separateness and I am."
HAVE YOUR SAY The right to wear whatever you want is a part of the liberty we all enjoy Simon W, King's Lynn, England Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The right to wear whatever you want is a part of the liberty we all enjoy Simon W, King's Lynn, England Send us your comments
Downing Street said Mr Straw was expressing a private opinion.Downing Street said Mr Straw was expressing a private opinion.
The prime minister said it was reasonable for people to express opinions.The prime minister said it was reasonable for people to express opinions.
'Dangerous doctrine''Dangerous doctrine'
Mr Straw's comments have provoked a mixed response from Muslim groups.Mr Straw's comments have provoked a mixed response from Muslim groups.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission labelled the article "astonishing" and accused Mr Straw of discrimination.The Islamic Human Rights Commission labelled the article "astonishing" and accused Mr Straw of discrimination.
The Protect-Hijab organisation said the "appalling" comments showed "a deep lack of understanding".The Protect-Hijab organisation said the "appalling" comments showed "a deep lack of understanding".
But Dr Daud Abdullah, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said he could understand Mr Straw's discomfort adding that women could choose to remove the veil.But Dr Daud Abdullah, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said he could understand Mr Straw's discomfort adding that women could choose to remove the veil.
But Conservative policy director Oliver Letwin said it would be "dangerous doctrine" to tell people how to dress.But Conservative policy director Oliver Letwin said it would be "dangerous doctrine" to tell people how to dress.
He said he did not want to "slip gradually" into a situation where we did not allow differences because they create separations.He said he did not want to "slip gradually" into a situation where we did not allow differences because they create separations.
"If a person is making a statement about how they want to dress, I think it's pretty important we live in a country where you're allowed to do that," he said."If a person is making a statement about how they want to dress, I think it's pretty important we live in a country where you're allowed to do that," he said.