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Prescott backs right to wear veil Prescott backs right to wear veil
(10 minutes later)
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has defended the right of Muslim women to wear a veil over their face. 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 called for Muslim women to take off veils at his Blackburn constituency surgery, sparking a row. 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 said 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 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 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.
Meanwhile, Communities and Local Government Minister Phil Woolas warned veils could provoke "fear and resentment" and play into the hands of far-right activists. The deputy prime minister said he understood the issue of "separateness" raised by the former foreign secretary.
In an article for the Sunday Mirror, he urged Muslims to be aware of the views of non-Muslims. 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.
"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.
In an article for the Sunday Mirror, he urged Muslims to be aware of the views of non-Muslims.
Find 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.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.
"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."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.
Find out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphics
"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.""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."
Some Muslim women called Mr Straw's remarks insulting, but other Muslims said they understood his concerns. Some Muslim women called Mr Straw's original remarks insulting, but other Muslims said they understood his concerns.
Mr Straw has dismissed suggestions that his remarks are designed to raise his profile ahead of Labour's deputy leadership election. Mr Straw has dismissed suggestions his comments 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.