Straw faces anger over asking for veils to be removed

BRITISH foreign minister Jack Straw is facing an angry backlash for asking Muslim women to discard their veils.

The Commons Leader stood by his controversial plea despite condemnation from Muslim leaders and many of his own Blackburn constituents and the prime minister’s efforts to distance himself from the remarks.

Amid criticism from political opponents, Downing Street said Mr Straw was expressing a personal opinion which did not reflect Government policy.