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Prescott backs right to wear veil Prescott backs right to wear veil
(about 1 hour later)
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has defended the right of Muslim women to wear veils which cover their faces.Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has defended the right of Muslim women to wear veils which cover their faces.
It comes after House of Commons leader Jack Straw sparked a row by saying he asked Muslim women to take off their veils at his constituency surgery.It comes after House of Commons leader Jack Straw sparked a row by saying he asked Muslim women to take off their veils at his constituency surgery.
Mr Prescott told the BBC he would not ask a woman to remove her veil, adding: "If a woman wants to wear a veil, why shouldn't she? It's her choice."Mr Prescott told the BBC he would not ask a woman to remove her veil, adding: "If a woman wants to wear a veil, why shouldn't she? It's her choice."
But he said he welcomed the "proper debate" caused by Mr Straw's remarks.But he said he welcomed the "proper debate" caused by Mr Straw's remarks.
Mr Prescott, who was interviewed on BBC One's Sunday AM programme, said there should never be "no go" areas for debate.Mr Prescott, who was interviewed on BBC One's Sunday AM programme, said there should never be "no go" areas for debate.
I do fear when you say you emphasise separation there is a fear in the general public that somehow that shouldn't happen John Prescott,Deputy prime ministerI do fear when you say you emphasise separation there is a fear in the general public that somehow that shouldn't happen John Prescott,Deputy prime minister
He added that his colleague was better placed than anyone else in the Cabinet to discuss the issue due the large number of Muslims in his Blackburn constituency.He added that his colleague was better placed than anyone else in the Cabinet to discuss the issue due the large number of Muslims in his Blackburn constituency.
The deputy prime minister said he understood the issue of "separateness" raised by the former foreign secretary.The deputy prime minister said he understood the issue of "separateness" raised by the former foreign secretary.
But he said: "I do fear when you say you emphasise separation there is a fear in the general public that somehow that shouldn't happen."But he said: "I do fear when you say you emphasise separation there is a fear in the general public that somehow that shouldn't happen."
Mr Prescott said veils were a "cultural difference", adding: "If somebody comes into my constituency wearing... a turban or very dark glasses I'm not going to ask them to remove it.Mr Prescott said veils were a "cultural difference", adding: "If somebody comes into my constituency wearing... a turban or very dark glasses I'm not going to ask them to remove it.
"I think you can communicate with them.""I think you can communicate with them."
'Fear and resentment''Fear and resentment'
Meanwhile, Communities and Local Government Minister Phil Woolas has backed Mr Straw, warning that the wearing of full veils could provoke "fear and resentment" and play into the hands of far-right activists.Meanwhile, Communities and Local Government Minister Phil Woolas has backed Mr Straw, warning that the wearing of full veils could provoke "fear and resentment" and play into the hands of far-right activists.
In an article for the Sunday Mirror, he urged Muslims to be aware of the views of non-Muslims. He said there was a need to "debate this issue" to break a "vicious circle" of misunderstanding between communities.
The minister said there was a need to "explain to people who are fearful of traditional Muslim dress the motives and the contexts of that and explain to the British Muslim people the effects that their actions can have if they are misunderstood".
Find out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphicsFind out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphics
Mr Woolas said: "It can be hard to tell whether women wear the veil as an expression of their faith or because they are compelled to do so. He said that riots in Oldham, Bradford and Burnley five years ago had taught him that there was a need to discuss faith and race issues.
"Most British-born Muslims who wear it, do so as an assertion of their identity and religion. This can create fear and resentment among non-Muslims and lead to discrimination. Some Muslim women called Mr Straw's original remarks insulting, but other Muslims have said they understood his concerns.
"Muslims then become even more determined to assert their identity, and so it becomes a vicious circle where the only beneficiaries are racists like the BNP." Speaking on BBC One's Heaven and Earth show, Tahir Alam, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said Jack Straw "ought to be more responsible in making such comments".
Some Muslim women called Mr Straw's original remarks insulting, but other Muslims said they understood his concerns. He added that it "feeds into the hands of those who have been intolerant of Muslims".
Mr Straw has dismissed suggestions his comments were designed to raise his profile ahead of Labour's deputy leadership election. Mr Alam also said that he had received a number of reports of women having their veils pulled off in the last few days.
'More separated'
Mr Straw has dismissed suggestions his remarks were designed to raise his profile ahead of Labour's deputy leadership election.
Meanwhile, a leaked Church of England document suggests government attempts to integrate minority faiths has left society "more separated than ever before".Meanwhile, a leaked Church of England document suggests government attempts to integrate minority faiths has left society "more separated than ever before".
The memo, written by an adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury, says Muslims have received "preferential" treatment since the 7 July bombings last year, the Sunday Telegraph reports.The memo, written by an adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury, says Muslims have received "preferential" treatment since the 7 July bombings last year, the Sunday Telegraph reports.
Mr Woolas said he was aware of these concerns and similar points had been made by members of other faiths. He said he wanted to reassure people that all religions were of equal importance in British communities.
He said: "All faith, and people of no faith of course, have their right to have their say."