Straw veil remarks demo cancelled

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A protest over Jack Straw's remarks on Muslim women wearing veils has been abandoned amid fears up to 8,000 people would turn up, say organisers.

The demo was to be staged on Saturday, outside Mr Straw's office in Blackburn, during a surgery for constituents.

Some Muslims were angered by the leader of the Commons saying he asked Muslim women at his surgeries to remove veils.

Organisers claimed police threatened court action over the demo but a force spokeswoman denied this.

Different venue

Moulana Hanif, from the Blackburn Mosques Forum, said Lancashire Police told him they were unable to manage more than 500 demonstrators.

"The numbers were expected to be around 8,000," he said.

He added: "The police said there was 'no way' they could handle that number of people around the community centre.

"The police said that if we were to go ahead with more than 500 they might even apply for a court order to prevent the demonstration because they couldn't police it."

'Safety concerns'

He said the protesters tried to find a different venue but were told by senior officers the force needed three or four weeks notice.

Supt Tim Jacques from Lancashire police said there were "safety" concerns.

"We will do whatever we can to allow peaceful demonstrations to take place and to ensure minimum disruption to the community," he said.

"Our overriding concern is safety, including that of those attending any demonstration, those wanting to use public buildings or attend any meetings where Mr Straw is present and importantly members of the public wanting to carry on with their daily routine unhindered."

Small demo

A force spokeswoman added that police had never threatened court action but the area for the planned demo would have been too small for 8,000 demonstrators.

On Thursday Mr Straw reaffirmed his comment , saying, "I don't regret it and yes, I stand by it.

He said it was "nonsense" to suggest that the remarks were linked to speculation he will stand for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party.

On Friday will meet with community leaders and local politicians ahead of two surgeries in the town.