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Straw in Blackburn after veil row Straw in Blackburn after veil row
(about 3 hours 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 has met constituents for the first time since claiming that the covered faces 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 show their noses 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. He was applauded outside the town hall, but a protest is expected on Saturday.
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 The article sparked quite a bigger debate than I anticipated which left me surprised Jack Straw
Speaking in Blackburn on Friday, he said he stuck by his comments. Speaking in Blackburn, which is about 30% Muslim, on Friday, he said he stuck by his comments and had held two meetings with local councillors and representatives of the Lancashire Council of Mosques.
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." "No-one today challenged my right to say what I did. This town is a big village, a large rumbustious family," he said.
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'." "We have been working very hard in this multi-religious town to build on the achievements of the past and for the future."
When the MP left the press conference in Blackburn's Town Hall, he received a round of applause and cheers from people gathered outside. The former foreign secretary added: "The article sparked quite a bigger debate than I anticipated which left me surprised. But it sparked off concern about parallel communities.
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. "We have to face up to the difficult challenge of achieving a greater understanding of different cultures."
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. Straw applauded
Backing When the MP left the press conference, he received a round of applause and cheers from people gathered outside.
Mr Straw has been backed by both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in his right to raise the debate. But a demonstration is planned outside his Saturday morning surgery at Bangor Street Community Centre.
Mr Straw has been backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor 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 Islamic Human Rights Commission argued the MP was "selectively discriminating".
Mr Straw said no-one in his constituency, which is about 30% Muslim, had so far refused his request.