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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Straw in Blackburn after veil row | Straw in Blackburn after veil row |
| (about 1 hour 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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." | 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'." | 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'." |
| When the MP left the press conference in Blackburn's Town Hall, he received a round of applause and cheers from people gathered outside. | |
| 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 | 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. | Mr Straw said no-one in his constituency, which is about 30% Muslim, had so far refused his request. |