[jambutty]

The real problem with some of the more militant Muslims is that they will jump on anything that ever so slightly questions Islam. And the press as well but they only want to sell newspapers so they will stir things up.

I go back to my original point – would a Muslim woman be allowed to remain veiled in a British court of law in the UK if she was a witness or defendant? I just cannot see the judge allowing a witness to be cross examined without him, the jury and barristers being able to see the face of the witness. Nor can I see a Muslim woman being allowed to remain veiled if she were a defendant. The judge and in particular the jury would like to see the face of the defendant as the trial progresses.

So on balance I think that Jack Straw MP was correct in asking veiled Muslim women to remove the veil during consultations.

I see that it has been reported today that Tony Blair has distanced himself on this issue and it is not government policy.