Quote of the Day 12.6.2008: David Davis - The Only Honest, Princpled Man Left In British Politics

"The name of my constituency is Haltemprice and Howden. The word Haltemprice is derived from the motto of a medieval priory, and in Old French it means "Noble Endeavour".

I had always viewed membership of this House as a noble endeavour, not least because we and our forebears have for centuries fiercely defended the fundamental freedoms of our citizens. Or we did, up until yesterday.Up until yesterday, I took the view that what we did in the House of Commons representing our constituents was a noble endeavour because with centuries or forebears we defended the freedoms of the British people. Well we did up until yesterday.

This Sunday is the anniversary of Magna Carta—the document that guarantees that most fundamental of British freedoms—Habeus Corpus.

The right not to be imprisoned by the state without charge or reason. Yesterday this house decided to allow the state to lock up potentially innocent British citizens for up to six weeks without charge.

Now the counter terrorism bill will in all probability be rejected by the House of Lords very firmly. After all, what should they be there for if not to defend Magna Carta.

But because the impetus behind this is essentially political - not security - the government will be tempted to use the Parliament Act to over-rule the Lords. It has no democratic mandate to do this since 42 days was not in its manifesto.

Its legal basis is uncertain to say the least. But purely for political reasons, this government's going to do that. And because the generic security arguments relied on will never go away—technology, development and complexity and so on, we'll next see 56 days, 70 days, 90 days.

But in truth, 42 days is just one—perhaps the most salient example—of the insidious, surreptitious and relentless erosion of fundamental British freedoms.

And we will have shortly, the most intrusive identity card system in the world.

A CCTV camera for every 14 citiziens, a DNA database bigger than any dictatorship has, with 1000s of innocent children and a million innocent citizens on it.

We have witnessed an assault on jury trials—that balwark against bad law and its arbitrary use by the state. Short cuts with our justice system that make our system neither firm not fair.

And the creation of a database state opening up our private lives to the prying eyes of official snoopers and exposing our personal data to careless civil servants and criminal hackers.

The state has security powers to clamp down on peaceful protest and so-called hate laws that stifle legitimate debate - while those who incite violence get off Scot free.

This cannot go on, it must be stopped. And for that reason, I feel that today it's incumbent on me to take a stand.

I will be resigning my membership of the House and I intend to force a by-election in Haltemprice and Howden.

Now I'll not fight it on the government's general record—there's no point repeating Crewe and Nantwich. I won't fight it on my personal record. I am just a piece in this great chess game.

I will fight it, I will argue this by-election, against the slow strangulation of fundamental British freedoms by this government.

Now, that may mean I've made my last speech to the House—it's possible. And of course that would be a matter of deep regret to me. But at least my electorate, and the nation as a whole, would have had the opportunity to debate and consider one of the most fundamental issues of our day—the ever-intrusive power of the state into our lives, the loss of privacy, the loss of freedom and the steady attrition undermining the rule of law.And if they do send me back here it will be with a single, simple message: that the monstrosity of a law that we passed yesterday will not stand."

This must already be one of the greatest speech ever made. It certainly a historic one; a speech that may change the course of British history for the better. Mr. Davis is the heir to Churchill; may he be successful on his quest for liberty.

I Am An Evil Super GENIUS!!!: Chavs' Army

Earlier today, I saw an advertisement from the BBC requesting people to submit their ideas for the new series of one of my favourite Radio Four shows, Dave Gorman's Genius. Never one to pass up a golden opportunity for self-advancement like this, I submitted this politically incorrect but brilliant Genius idea:

Sending chavs abroad to fight our wars.

My Genius idea is to send Britain's chavs abroad to fight in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble-spots. This would kill three birds with one stone as not only would it cut crime at home, but the chavs and Al-Qaeda would also wipe-out each other on the desert battlefields.

My Genius idea would save taxpayers billions as chavs wouldn't need uniforms (they're already instantly recognisable by their hooded tops, Burberry and fake bling), high-tech weaponry (as most chavs already carry their own guns, knives, baseball bats and broken beer bottles) or training (as they spend hundreds of hours playing Grand Theft Auto IV and Halo 3 on their X-Box 360s and kill each other for real on the streets).

We could even sell our chavs' services to foreign powers such the United States in their quest to invade Iran, Syria and North Korea in order to bring in some extra revenue for the government.

In conclusion, chavs are cheap, expendable cannon fodder. They would obey orders without question because chavs are either drunk, high on drugs, stupid or all three. It would cut crime at home while simultaneously providing our enemies with an inexhaustible supply of violent, fearless and beer-soaked infidels from council-housing estates to eliminate during their martyrdom missions. The only costs that would be incurred by my Genius idea would be transportation and the government subsiding free beer for chavs to consume at recruitment events across Britain’s council-housing estates.

Quote of the Day 11.4.2008: Windbag Blows About Hot Air

"There are two types of people who advocate socialism, there are people like me who are working toward that end and there are those who talk about it." - Cllr Terry Kelly

A strangely ironic comment to make considering that when he himself isn't to busy just talking about socialism (complete with libellous abuse), El Clowncillor Tel is busy snapping up former council houses and shares in Transco.

Jacqui "Smith" Spliff - A Jew-Hating Racist As Well As A Homophobe

Not content with deporting gays and lesbians back to certain arrest, torture and execution in Islamofascist Iran, our ex-druggie of a Home Secretary has also decided to ban the deputy leader of the Jewish Likud Party from entering Britain.

I hope she gets knocked down by a bus, the bus reserves back over her, then it drives forwards over her crushed corpse again.

Symonds flattens streaker, faces ban

Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds flattened a streaker who ran on to the field during the second tri-series final against India at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The naked man came off second best after he evaded security and charged towards Symonds while he was batting during Australia's run-chase.

Symonds stood his ground as the man approach and dropped the pitch invader with a rugby-style shoulder charge.

The man was arrested by police and faces the possibility of a fine and a life ban from the Gabba.

Symonds, who briefly contemplated a career in rugby league before he broke into the Australian team, also faces the risk of punishment under the International Cricket Council's strict code of conduct.

The code includes a section banning players from any physical assault of a rival player, official or spectator.

Kudos to Andrew Symonds, the ICC can go fuck themselves if they try to discipline him for doing the right thing.

Jacqui "Smith" Spliff Is A Homophobe & An Accessory To State-Sanctioned Murder

Paul Canning explains why here. No doubt Terry Kelly, fan of the homophobic murderer Fidel Castro would approve of Spliff's actions.

Quote of the Day 27.11.2008: Deluded Terry

"Ele Commandante Fidel Castro, scourge of America and no fewer than 10 of it's wretched presidents, those who are still alive can still be heard muttering "why me, why me, why did my years in office have to be overshadowed by this giant of history, why oh why me" ?" - Cllr Terry Kelly

ROFLMAO! OMG!! My sides are splitting!!!

Someone call the men in white coats for El Tel?

Shopkeeper cleared in death inquiry

A shopkeeper will not face a murder charge after the man who tried to rob him was stabbed to death with his own knife.

Tony Singh, 34, was arrested after career criminal Liam Kilroe tried to rob him but died when Mr Singh defended himself.

Kilroe, 25, from St Helens, Merseyside, died from a single stab wound to the chest after trying to rob his victim on Birleywood Road, Skelmersdale, around 9pm on February 17.

Mr Singh, who owns the Lifestyle Express store in Birleywood, was arrested on suspicion of murder but later released on bail pending further inquiries.

Lancashire Police had earlier that week issued an appeal for Kilroe to hand himself in after he failed to appear at Preston Crown Court to face armed robbery charges.

He had previously been convicted of assault and robbery.

The force has now said Mr Singh will face no charges over the incident.

Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell said: "This was a violent attack on Mr Singh by a convicted armed robber.

"My recommendation was that Mr Singh should not be prosecuted and I am pleased that the Crown Prosecution Service has agreed with that."

It is a damn disgrace that Mr. Singh was even arrested in the first place. Why was Kilroe even free to walk the streets in the first place when he was a known 'career criminal' and charged with armed robbery.

New Labour: A National Disgrace

Quote of the Day 26.2.2008: How To Ruin A Nation In Less Than 11 Years

Read it and weep lefty scum:

"People flee communism or even its wet-arsed sibling, socialism. This means it is demonstrably a rubbish political system which has catastrophically failed in its stated mission: to improve the lives of "the people". Those people vote with their feet for capitalist oppression. This destructive political creed is the scourge of the third world, creating refugee crises in countries neighbouring every socialist state and killing millions in the process. The countries with the highest per capita rate of exodus are just such third-world toilets, generally as a result of decades of such socialist misrule causing the most able people to seek better lives in better governed places - yes lefties, even America. But it's not just communism which makes a mess, its aborted foetus: progressive leftism or social democracy (or whatever you want to euphemistically call drippy PC leftist whingeing) does so too, but in an insidious and subtle way.

The highest rate of exodus in the OECD is the UK, which is not yet quite as bad as somalia - which is why Somalis still want to come here. This exodus of highly educated Native Britons is because of Labour policies like taxing people to penury, then spending the proceeds to subsidise crime, using the welfare state. In a vicious circle, the state tries to replace these migrants by recruiting Somalis, who aren't quite the paragons of virtue presented to the immigration officer. The state then sets its attack dogs in the police to criminalise the rest of the British population for driving, whilst turning a blind eye to labour voters benefit recipients burgling your home. None of the money expropriated from the productive classes in this way is being spent on services they use. Councils can't even empty your bin once a week any more! Over a third of Government managed expenditure is being pissed away on Lambert & Butler in the form of direct benefit payments. To little cash is earmarked for roads, and what is, is spent on speed bumps and road narrowing, increasing frustration on your ever lengthening drive to work. The schools, still in thrall to leftist dogma, seem to think that actual teaching facts and morals is a denial of a child's human right to be a grotty little chav, while little Tarquin no longer gets any dosh to spend on his 3-year drinking sabatical university course. The poor too are betrayed: They are herded from sink comprehensives on un-policed estates to universities which used to be polytechnics, in order to take degrees of zero credibility, which simultaneously raise expectations whilst offering no advantage in the Labour market, which they enter £16,000 in debt. This at vast cost to the tax-payer for the simple purpose of massaging the unemployment statistics. Meanwhile, the only job open to many disadvantaged young men without a university "education" is the Army, which is being eviscerated by decades of underfunding and 10 years of over use. Ancient regiments are being amalgamated, whilst shiny arses in the MOD argue about procurement programmes while denying the boys the kit they need now, fighting two (soon to be 3) hot wars simultaneously. There are now more civil servants in the MOD than Front-line infantrymen - a microcosm of the growth in the utterly pointless bureaucracy by which this Party seeks to cement its regime: by the creation of a bureaucratic client state.

So if you've worked hard, own a home and drive a car, this place is shit - especially if you've committed the thought-crime of doing so in the private sector. The Dude will never leave - I have faith that the great tradition of liberal England will return after a century's hiatus, but my parents have already left for Costa-del-Solshire along with most of their friends, where the sun is hot, the beer is cool and the tax is reasonable - as a result, the locals don't have to beat you up for your pension money (or at least they do so less often than they do at home). It is the best people who are leaving, because they can. The politics of the UK will soon be that of the shit that's left behind: and ever more insanely socialist as a result. Perhaps that's all in the Labour plan, though that would be giving them credit for a competence and forethought I doubt they possess.

Gordon Brown, you really are an incompetent cunt who, despite the brilliant economic legacy bequeathed to you by your predecessor in No11, has fucked the country up, and it's only the remaining checks and balances, which I notice you're still busy trying to "modernise" away, have prevented you turning this country into 1978-9. Why don't you fuck off and kill yourself, you mendacious socialist bastard, before you do more harm?" - Jackart

Sheridan wife 'harassment victim'

Here an interesting bit of news that might appeal to Right For Scotland:

The wife of former Scottish socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan believes she is the victim of police harassment, her lawyer has said.

Gail Sheridan, 44, has been arrested over allegations of theft. She has been suspended by British Airways as a result of the allegations, which are reported to involve miniature bottles of alcohol.

Amer Anwar, the Sheridans' lawyer, said she and her husband were determined to prove her innocence.

Mr Anwar said: "Gail Sheridan has a 23-year unblemished record with British Airways, whom she has represented as part of their promotional team, as well as serving as a shop steward and now as a senior cabin crew member.

"She understands British Airways employment procedures but firmly believes she is now a victim of harassment and intolerable behaviour from Lothian and Borders Police and sections of the press.

"Both Mr and Mrs Sheridan are determined to prove their innocence and will not be intimidated or bullied by Lothian and Borders Police."

A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman confirmed: "A 44-year-old woman has been arrested and charged and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."

The police force would not comment on newspaper claims that alcohol miniatures were found in the Sheridan home by officers investigating perjury allegations.

A British Airways spokesman said: "A member of cabin crew has been suspended as part of an ongoing investigation."

Mr Sheridan, 43, was charged with perjury in December - around 16 months after he won his £200,000 action against the News Of The World at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. His father-in-law, Angus Healy, 71, and three colleagues who backed him in the trial have also been charged.

Macavity Terry

19.2.2008 -09:11 [RfS]: I look forward to Terry's blog being updated today with another fawning article about a gay-bashing murderer.

19.2.2008 - 16:10 [RfS]: no update on Terry's site yet. Maybe he has been overcome by grief. Do you think we should send him some flowers?

20.2.2008 - 20:24 [Clairwil]: Well he probably couldn't work out a way to blame the SNP for Castro's retirement so it letting it pass unremarked.

Quote of the Day 21.1.2008: The 900th Post

I found this gem in today's Western Mail newspaper:

"It is disturbing that in a modern and supposedly progressive democracy the freedom to openly discuss and comment upon certain aspects of contemporary society, in even the most rational and constructive manner, has been so heavily curtailed that the individual citizen has been effectively muzzled and rendered politically impotent.

In the present political climate an over-developed sense of political correctness and horror of causing offence has been instrumental in promoting a type of linguistic fascism that connives at the suppression of any unpalatable fact that may reflect negatively an issues to do with race, religion or immigration, however accurate these facts happen to be.

Imposing censorship or suppressing legitimate comment in the context of human rights abuses for the purpose of advocating diversity and multiculturalism can only be counterproductive as the toleration of unacceptable practices by our groups will always be resented by others where values and cultural norms are different.

Cultural diversity has often come to be seen as a blanket excuse for the toleration of bigotry and extreme views by radicals of every persuasion and as a divisive rather than unifying factor in society.

Rather than the cosy utopian melting pot of the popular political imagination, multiculturalism has resulted in the polarisation of different communities and initiated a form of cultural and socio economic apartheid that has become much more deeply entrenched than it otherwise need have been." - Stuart Walters

Bravo! It could not have been put better by anyone else.

Quote of the Day 19.2.2008: Political Prostitution

"Hello Boys! Cum and blow me!!!"

"Mr [Paul] Flynn is nothing more than a New Labour rent-boy who is desperate to spread his cheeks for the party to avoid deselection come the next election. Should he cause any trouble and stop waving the flag for the contemptable little shit Hain he faces being replaced by someone off an all women shortlist aka Jessica Morden our other Newport MP- who is Mr Hain's PPS by the way...." - FIDO The Dog

Fidel Castro retires as Cuban president

HAVANA (Reuters) - Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro said on Tuesday that he will not return to lead the country as president or commander-in-chief, retiring as head of state 49 years after he seized power in an armed revolution.

Castro, 81, who has not appeared in public for almost 19 months after undergoing stomach surgery, said in a message to the communist nation that he would not seek a new presidential term when the National Assembly meets on February 24.

"To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honour in recent days of electing me a member of parliament ... I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept -- I repeat not aspire to or accept -- the positions of President of Council of State and Commander in Chief," Castro said in the statement published on the Web site of the Communist Party's Granma newspaper.

The National Assembly or legislature is expected to nominate his brother and designated successor Raul Castro, 76, as president. Raul Castro has been running the country since emergency surgery to stop intestinal bleeding forced Castro to delegate power on July 31, 2006.

Cubans on the empty streets of Havana were not surprised by his retirement.

"Everyone knew for a while that he would not come back. The people got used to his absence," said Roberto, a self-employed Cuban who did not want to be fully named.

"I don't know what to say. I just want to leave. This system cannot continue," said Alexis, a garbage collector.

In a deserted Revolution Square, site of many hours-long speeches by Castro to massive crowds, a lone soldier stood guard at government headquarters and the city was calm.

'COMANDANTE'

The title of "Comandante en Jefe" or commander-in-chief, was created for Castro in 1958 as overall leader of the guerrilla forces that swept down from the mountains of eastern Cuba to overthrow U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

His retirement draws the curtain on a political career that spanned the Cold War and survived U.S. enmity, assassination plots by the CIA and the demise of Soviet bloc communism.

A charismatic leader famous for his long speeches delivered in his green military fatigues, Castro is admired in the Third World for standing up to the United States but considered by his opponents a tyrant who suppressed freedom.

"It's incredible that 50 years of dictatorship can be accepted by Cubans and will continue to be accepted," said Ninoska Perez of the anti-Castro Miami-based exile organization, the Cuban Liberty Council.

Perez said Castro's retirement did not mean anything would change in Cuba and the news was unlikely to bring cheer to Cuban exiles waiting for an end to communism in their homeland and an opportunity to return.

"The real celebration will be when he (Castro) can no longer write about it," she said.

Castro's illness and departure from Cuba's helm have raised doubts about the future of the one-party state.

"Fortunately, our Revolution can still count on cadres from the old guard and others who were very young in the early stages of the process," Castro said in his statement.

"They have the authority and the experience to guarantee the replacement," he said.

U.S. President George W. Bush, in Rwanda while on a trip to Africa, had no immediate comment on Castro's plans to step down, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Johndroe said "the president was informed" about the developments with Castro and that he would receive a briefing later. Washington has maintained a more than four-decades long economic embargo against Cuba to try to isolate Castro.

Castro has been seen only in pictures and video film since he handed over power provisionally to his brother, looking gaunt and frail. His health improved enough a year ago to allow him to reestablish a public presence by writing reams of articles published by Cuba's state press.

"This is not my farewell to you. My only wish is to fight as a soldier in the battle of ideas. I shall continue to write under the heading of 'Reflections by comrade Fidel.' It will be just another weapon you can count on. Perhaps my voice will be heard. I shall be careful," Castro said in Tuesday's message.

Castro could remain politically influential as first secretary of the ruling Communist Party and elder statesman.

Raul Castro, Cuba's long-standing defence minister, has run raised expectations of economic reforms to improve the daily lot of Cubans since standing in for his brother, but he has yet to deliver.

"It was logical for Fidel to quit because he has been saying that he is not well," said a musician leaving a cabaret. "But nothing will change until the government makes economic reforms that Cuba needs," he said.

I bet that poor Terry will be crying into his porridge when he finds out.

Multicultural UK "soft target" for terrorism

LONDON (Reuters) - Multicultural Britain is a "soft target" for terrorist attacks because its aims, values and political identity are divided, a leading defence think-tank said on Friday.

How much to integrate ethnic communities in Britain has been a hot political issue since four British Islamist suicide bombers killed 52 people on London's transport system in 2005.

The attacks sparked a debate on whether Britain's policy of avoiding imposing a single British identity and instead promoting a multicultural society had led to segregation of ethnic minorities.

In a report strongly rebutted by the government, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) said: "We look like a soft touch. We are indeed a soft touch, from within and without."
The report, based on the findings of former military chiefs, diplomats and analysts, concluded:

"The country's lack of self-confidence is in stark contrast to the implacability of its Islamist terrorist enemy."

"The security of the United Kingdom is at risk and under threat," it said.

The report called for the creation of a new cabinet committee to oversee security policy.
It said another parliamentary committee should seek to build consensus and identify security weaknesses.

"The United Kingdom presents itself as a target, as a fragmenting, post-Christian society, increasingly divided about interpretations of its history, about its national aims, its values and in its political identity," the RUSI report said.

"That fragmentation is worsened by the firm self-image of those elements within it who refuse to integrate.

"This is a problem worsened by the lack of leadership from the majority, which, in mis-placed deference to multiculturalism,' failed to lay down the line to immigrant communities, thus undercutting those within them trying to fight extremism."

That provoked a robust response from the government with a cabinet office spokesman saying: "The government rejects any suggestion that Britain is a soft touch for terrorists."

"We have a detailed and robust strategy for countering international terrorism."

Labour MP Keith Vaz said the report was wrong to blame multiculturalism for fostering terrorism.

"I think one of the problems with this report is that they've not actually looked at our multicultural society to see what benefits it has given the country. It hasn't been a soft touch for terrorism," he told BBC Radio.

The Dude Is On A Roll

Jackart has got a lot of bees in his bonnet at the moment, producing some cutting and brilliant articles on what's wrong with Britain today.

• Legalise Drugs. Now.
• A Review of my position on the EU
• Fuck off if you're Young.
• Labour's Mess
• What's wrong with Britain - Petty Jobsworths

Go read them NOW!

Reasons Rowan Williams Must Resign #94: McStalin Hails His 'Integrity'

Gordon Brown has paid tribute to the "great integrity" and "dedication" of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

It comes as the embattled Anglican leader prepares to defend himself over his comments on sharia law.

Mr Brown's spokesman said the Prime Minister understood the "difficulty" currently facing Dr Williams. The two men had a "close" relationship and stay in close touch, he said.

The spokesman added: "The Prime Minister believes the Archbishop of Canterbury is a man of great integrity and dedication to public and community service and he understands the difficulty he is facing at the moment.

"The Archbishop has been clarifying and setting in a wider context the comments he has made and I'm sure he will continue to do so in the future."

But he went on: "The Prime Minister is very clear that British laws must be based on British values and that religious law, while respecting other cultures, should be subservient to British criminal and civil law."

The remarks from Downing Street come as Dr Williams faces a crucial test when he gives his presidential address at the opening of the General Synod, the Church's ruling body, in central London.

The Archbishop is expected to defend himself after a storm of hostile criticism following a BBC interview he gave last week in which he said the adoption of some aspects of Islamic sharia law in the UK "seems unavoidable".

The interview preceded a public lecture in which Dr Williams said UK law needs to continue to find accommodation with religious legal codes such as the Islamic system of Sharia law if community cohesion and development are to be achieved.

His remarks draw criticism from church leaders, secular groups and government figures with at least two Synod members calling for him to go.

Both these men are twin cancers that have been inflicted upon this once-great nation by Adolf Blair and need to be 'cured'.

Archbishop's sharia comments:"Recipe for disaster"

LONDON (Reuters) - A government minister accused Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams of concocting "a recipe for disaster" for suggesting the introduction in Britain of some aspects of sharia was unavoidable.

Main political parties distanced themselves from Thursday's comments on Islamic law by Williams, the spiritual leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans, who is already battling divisions within his church over gay priests.

"You cannot run two systems of law alongside each other. That would be a recipe for chaos," said Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, joining a chorus of condemnation for Williams.

Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said "On this I think he is wrong" while former Home Secretary David Blunkett said formalising Islamic law "would be catastrophic in terms of social cohesion".

The Sun said on Friday: "It's easy to dismiss Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams as a silly old goat. In fact he's a dangerous threat to our nation."

The issue of integrating Britain's 1.8 million Muslims has been widely debated since July 2005, when four British Islamists carried out suicide bombings on London's transport system, killing 52 people.

Those attacks prompted questioning of a long-standing policy of avoiding a single British identity and promoting a multicultural society, which some argue has led to segregation of ethnic minorities.

Speaking to the BBC, Williams said other religions enjoyed tolerance of their laws in Britain and called for a "constructive accommodation" with Muslim practice in areas such as marital disputes.

Asked if the adoption of some aspects of sharia was necessary for community cohesion, he said: "It seems unavoidable."

His unexpected comments were welcomed by some Muslim groups, but the government said it was out of the question that the principles of sharia could be used in British civil courts.

"The prime minister is clear that in Britain, British laws based on British values will apply," a spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.

Sharia is the body of Islamic religious law based on the Koran, the words and actions of the Prophet Mohammad and his companions, and rulings of Islamic scholars. It covers issues including worship, commercial dealings, marriage and penal laws.

Williams said he was not endorsing the harsh punishments meted out in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, where murderers and drug traffickers are publicly beheaded or hanged.

But that did not placate critics.

Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, called Williams' intervention "muddled and unhelpful".

"Raising this idea will give fuel to anti-Muslim extremism," he added.

And Labour MP Khalid Mahmood had no doubt about where he stood: "I, along with the vast majority of UK Muslims, oppose any such move to introduce sharia here. British law is the envy of the world."

Lord Carey defends Islam comments

The former Archbishop of Canterbury has defended a speech made in Rome in which he accused Islamic societies of contributing little to the world.

Lord Carey said his lecture on Thursday also contained criticisms of Western culture and was a balanced appraisal of Islam and Christianity's relationship.

The former Anglican Church head told BBC's Newsnight: "I do not apologise for the things I say."

But Muslim leaders said he was "ignorant in the true faith of Islam".

Authoritarian regimes

Speaking in Rome on Thursday, Lord Carey said Islamic regimes were authoritarian and committed to power and privilege.

He said not enough moderate Muslim leaders had condemned suicide bombers.

Referring to the culture's contribution to society, he lamented the lack of any great invention saying it was 'a puzzle'.

'Muslim people are not bereft of brilliant minds. They have much to contribute to the human family,' he added.

On Friday, he told Newsnight that while he defended his comments about Muslims, he said: "I honour them as people. I honour the Muslim faith."

Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, responded angrily, saying: "One is surprised to find Lord Carey recycling the same old religious prejudice in the 21st century."

Manzoor Moghal, Chairman of the Federation of Muslim Organisations in Leicester, England, where 40,000 Muslims are based, said Lord Carey's understanding was poor.

"People are going to see the whole thing in a light which will portray him as a person who is ignorant in the true faith of Islam," he added.

No! No! No!: Sharia law unavoidable - Archdruid Of Cunterbury

The adoption of some aspects of Islamic sharia law in the UK "seems unavoidable", the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Dr Rowan Williams said there was a place for finding a "constructive accommodation" in areas such as marriage - allowing Muslim women to avoid western divorce proceedings.

Other religions enjoyed such tolerance of their own laws, he pointed out, but stressed that it could never be allowed to take precedence over an individual's rights as a citizen.

He said it would also require a change in perception of what sharia involved beyond the "inhumanity" of extreme punishments and attitudes to women seen in some Islamic states.

Dr Williams told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "It seems unavoidable and, as a matter of fact, certain conditions of sharia are already recognised in our society and under our law, so it is not as if we are bringing in an alien and rival system.

"We already have in this country a number of situations in which the internal law of religious communities is recognised by the law of the land as justifying conscientious objections in certain circumstances."

He added: "There is a place for finding what would be a constructive accommodation with some aspects of Muslim law as we already do with aspects of other kinds of religious law.

"It would be quite wrong to say that we could ever license a system of law for some community which gave people no right of appeal, no way of exercising the rights that are guaranteed to them as citizens in general.

"But there are ways of looking at marital disputes, for example, which provide an alternative to the divorce courts as we understand them. In some cultural and religious settings they would seem more appropriate."

He said people needed to look at Islamic law "with a clear eye and not imagine, either, that we know exactly what we mean by sharia and just associate it with ... Saudi Arabia, or whatever".

Rowan Williams is without doubt the worst Archbishop of Canterbery in living memony. We already have a situation in Islamic countries such as Kuwait and Malasya where the decisions of the civil courts on divorce, blasphemy and conversion to a non-Islamic faith have been overruled by the religious courts and that must not be allowed to happen in this country where the law of the land has already been hampered by an unholy alliance of New Labour fascists, EU directives, the PC brigade, European Courts and the loathsome 1998 Human Rights Act.

I am not bigoted against al-Islam in general, but I must also be objective and state that 'modern' Islam as enforced by far too many so-called Muslims is as intolorant, barbaric and inhuman as medieval Christianity and until the Islamic world realises this and makes a real and concerted effort to reform their attitudes towards each other and the 'people of Kuff' (non-believers), we non-Muslims should ourselves be as uncompromising towards their own uncompromising bigotry, violence, racism and intolorance.