EXCLUSIVE

SIR NICHOLAS Winterton's latest views on British Muslims have been branded "offensive and divisive" by the region's racial equality council.

But the unrepentant Macclesfield MP this week stood by comments made in his latest article in the Macclesfield Express, published in full in today's edition.

In it, Sir Nick blames multi-culturalism for the terrorist threat facing the country and says that "agitating so-called Muslim community leaders" who criticise the police "should be ashamed of themselves and held to account".

He also adds: "The Australian Government has spelt out bluntly what it expects of its ethnic minority communities and we in the UK should do the same.

"They should stop politicising dress, such as wearing the hijab and burkha, they should learn English, they should not return to their homelands to get a spouse, cease forced marriages and accept once and for all that the United Kingdom is not, and never will be, an Islamic state."

His views come just two days before the first anniversary of the July 7 London bombings and the right-wing Tory MP suggests the "outrageous outcry" in response to last month's raid in East London, where police found no evidence of a terrorist plot, shows that the British public have already forgotten about the atrocities of one year ago.

The Conservative Party Central Office has distanced itself from the comments, releasing a statement saying: "These are Sir Nick's personal views".

But they are sure to embarrass Tory leader David Cameron who is aiming to make the party more appealing to the ethnic communities.

Director of the Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Racial Equality Council, Shantele Janes, said she would raise her concerns over the article with Mr Cameron.

"We are extremely concerned by the article," she says.

"We think that it is offensive and divisive and we are appalled that someone in his position would be so irresponsible as to make the comments he did, contributing to the climate of hostility towards Muslims in the UK."

But Sir Nick insisted such comments represent the views of both his constituents and the wider public.

"They are forthright and positive and express the views of many of those people who have communicated to me and speak to me about these issues," he said.

"It is time straight talking took place on the sensitive issue of integration and asylum. It is right that people should be told what the majority of British people believe.

"I'm advised there are 70 suspected terror plots to attack Britain that are being investigated and the threat has not diminished almost a year on from the bombings in London which resulted in 56 innocent people losing their lives.

"I would prefer the police to raid a house and, ultimately, for the people who were arrested to be released than for people to be allowed to develop terrorist plots.

"We have experienced terrorism in this country from the IRA and I took just as strong a line in respect of IRA terrorism.

"But if people come to this country they should seek to integrate into the country and to accept our laws and our traditions."

While many countries may look on with envy at Britain's multiculturalism, Sir Nick feels it is that diversity which has fuelled the terrorist threat.

"I do not believe multiculturalism is a good thing, and the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality has said the same thing. What we want is to have integration into our society. Unfortunately, many of those within the Muslim world are not prepared to integrate.

"One is not against people coming to this country who are coming here to protect themselves because their lives would be in danger in the country of their origin, but they should show due gratitude and respect for that."