This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6046836.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Straw in Blackburn after veil row | Straw in Blackburn after veil row |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Jack Straw is meeting constituents for the first time since claiming that the facial veils of Muslim women can make community relations more difficult. | |
| The Commons leader sparked a row by saying that when women wear veils to his Blackburn office, he asks if they would uncover their faces and mouths. | The Commons leader sparked a row by saying that when women wear veils to his Blackburn office, he asks if they would uncover their faces and mouths. |
| He told reporters he was surprised at the debate it had provoked, but hoped it would benefit all communities. | |
| Protests are expected at his advice surgeries at two community centres. | Protests are expected at his advice surgeries at two community centres. |
| Mr Straw had said he felt full-face veils were a "visible statement of separation" - and was criticised by some Muslim groups. | |
| It's important now that we ensure that the whole of community within Blackburn and all the communities within the UK benefit in a positive way from this debate Jack Straw | |
| Speaking in Blackburn on Friday, he said he stuck by his comments. | |
| But he added: "It's important now that we ensure that the whole of community within Blackburn and all the communities within the UK benefit in a positive way from this debate." | |
| He said what could come from it was "a better mutual understanding of different religious traditions in our society and more tangible work to ensure that the 'drifting apart' becomes a 'coming together'." | |
| Demonstrations may be held at the Mill Hill and Little Harwood community centres, but a larger demonstration planned for his Saturday surgery in Bangor Street has been called off. | Demonstrations may be held at the Mill Hill and Little Harwood community centres, but a larger demonstration planned for his Saturday surgery in Bangor Street has been called off. |
| Organisers said Lancashire Police had told them they would be unable to manage more than 500 protesters - they expected 8,000 people to turn up. | Organisers said Lancashire Police had told them they would be unable to manage more than 500 protesters - they expected 8,000 people to turn up. |
| Backing | |
| Mr Straw has been backed by both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in his right to raise the debate. | Mr Straw has been backed by both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in his right to raise the debate. |
| And the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips, has claimed the way he did it was "completely right". | And the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips, has claimed the way he did it was "completely right". |
| But the Lancashire Council of Mosques said the comments appeared "ill-judged", while the Islamic Human Rights Commission said he was "selectively discriminating". | But the Lancashire Council of Mosques said the comments appeared "ill-judged", while the Islamic Human Rights Commission said he was "selectively discriminating". |
| Mr Straw said no-one in his constituency, which is about 30% Muslim, had so far refused his request. | |