by John Bingham
Calls for an inquiry into scale of Sharia law in the UK as Law Society insists it was responding to demand with its guidance
Sharia law in UK: calls for Parliamentary inquiry Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Calls for a Parliamentary inquiry into the scale of Islamic law in the UK are mounting after the body representing solicitors in England and Wales issued formal guidance on making “Sharia compliant” wills.
The Law Society was accused of giving its stamp of approval to discriminatory practices after it published advice on writing wills which deny women an equal share and exclude “illegitimate” children or unbelievers.
The society denied promoting Sharia and insisted that it was simply responding to demand.
But MPs said the publication would be a “wake-up call” for those who support women’s equality.
Barry Sheerman, the Labour MP for Huddersfield, cautioned against legislation on the issue but called for a joint investigation by the Commons Justice and Home Affairs Committees into how widespread the use of Sharia law now is in Britain.
“We need a serious look at this through the select committee system,” he said.
“I think it would be harmful to make it a party-political issue.
“This should be dragged out into the open and be discussed.”
Jeremy Corbyn, a member of the Commons Justice Committee said it was “very likely” the issue would now come up.
Louise Mensch, the former Tory MP, described the guide as “utterly unacceptable”.
“There could not be a clearer case for ministers and government to step in than the Law Society's breathtakingly sexist Sharia law guidelines,” she said.
Meanwhile Peter Tatchell, the human rights campaigner and patron of Tell Mama, the group which combats anti-Muslim hate crime, said: “The Law Society is wrong.
“It should withdraw its guidelines assisting or promoting Sharia Law in the UK.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice refused to comment on whether Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, or Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat justice minister, saw the guidance as helpful.
He added: "Sharia 'law' has no jurisdiction in England and Wales and the Government has no intention to change this position.”
The Lawyers’ Secular Society has been collecting signatures in an online petition urging the Law Society to withdraw the guidance.
But Nicholas Fluck president of the Law Society said it was “inaccurate and ill informed” to see it as "promoting" Sharia law by publishing guidance on drafting Sharia wills.
“We live in a diverse multifaith, multicultural society,” he said.
“The Law Society responded to requests from its members for guidance on how to help clients asking for wills that distribute their assets in accordance with Sharia practice.
“Our practice note focuses on how to do that, where it is allowed under English law.
“The Law of England and Wales will give effect to wishes clearly expressed in a valid will in so far as those wishes are compliant with the law of England.
"The issue is no more complicated than that.”
“I think it would be harmful to make it a party-political issue.
“This should be dragged out into the open and be discussed.”
Jeremy Corbyn, a member of the Commons Justice Committee said it was “very likely” the issue would now come up.
Louise Mensch, the former Tory MP, described the guide as “utterly unacceptable”.
“There could not be a clearer case for ministers and government to step in than the Law Society's breathtakingly sexist Sharia law guidelines,” she said.
Meanwhile Peter Tatchell, the human rights campaigner and patron of Tell Mama, the group which combats anti-Muslim hate crime, said: “The Law Society is wrong.
“It should withdraw its guidelines assisting or promoting Sharia Law in the UK.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice refused to comment on whether Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, or Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat justice minister, saw the guidance as helpful.
He added: "Sharia 'law' has no jurisdiction in England and Wales and the Government has no intention to change this position.”
The Lawyers’ Secular Society has been collecting signatures in an online petition urging the Law Society to withdraw the guidance.
But Nicholas Fluck president of the Law Society said it was “inaccurate and ill informed” to see it as "promoting" Sharia law by publishing guidance on drafting Sharia wills.
“We live in a diverse multifaith, multicultural society,” he said.
“The Law Society responded to requests from its members for guidance on how to help clients asking for wills that distribute their assets in accordance with Sharia practice.
“Our practice note focuses on how to do that, where it is allowed under English law.
“The Law of England and Wales will give effect to wishes clearly expressed in a valid will in so far as those wishes are compliant with the law of England.
"The issue is no more complicated than that.”
John Bingham
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10717575/Sharia-law-in-UK-calls-for-Parliamentary-inquiry.html
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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