THE Archbishop of Canterbury is "horrified" at the hostile reaction to his controversial comments on sharia law and mounting calls for him to go, his predecessor said today.

Lord (George) Carey also criticised Rowan Williams, accusing him of overstating the case for accommodating Islamic legal codes. But he said he should not be forced to quit over his remarks, which have sparked a furore.

Lord Carey said: "He has in my opinion overstated the case for accommodating Islamic legal codes.

"His conclusion that Britain will eventually have to concede some place in law for aspects of sharia is a view I cannot share.

"There can be no exceptions to the laws of our land which have been so painfully honed by the struggle for democracy and human rights.

Disastrous

"His acceptance of some Muslim laws within British law would be disastrous for the nation."

But Lord Carey also defended the Archbishop saying: "This is not a matter upon which Dr Williams should resign. He is a great leader in the Anglican tradition and he has a very important role to play in the Church.

"He has my full support. I telephoned him to say this to him and to tell him he is in my prayers. I understand he is horrified by what has happened."

Lord Carey said the public debate that has been sparked by Dr Williams' comments might have the positive effect of ensuring that the country's existing sharia councils operate under British law.

Storm

He said: "The storm of criticism that has greeted the Archbishop of Canterbury's lecture on sharia law in Britain will no doubt have disappointed him but, in fact, he may have done us a great favour by airing this whole area of controversy.

"He might even be regarded as prescient for discussing sharia, even before demand builds among Muslim communities for special provision in British law.

"Indeed, some opinion polls have the number of British Muslims wanting to live under sharia law as high as 60 per cent."

Lord Carey said he believed Dr Williams was right to criticise some of the more extreme aspects of sharia law and to insist that this was not what he had in mind.

"Furthermore, a public debate might bring this country's existing sharia councils under public scrutiny to ensure that they operate under British law," said Lord Carey.

He added: "Finally, you wouldn't think from the widespread media reports, that Muslims constitute less than three per cent of the population. Most Muslims are heartily sick of being in the spotlight, but an ambitious programme of incorporating sharia tribunals into civil law, seems a little bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut- and what it would do for social cohesion doesn't even bear thinking about."

Dr Williams said nothing yesterday about the row and calls for him to resign.

A statement on his website on Friday said he had made no proposals for sharia, and "certainly did not call for its introduction as some kind of parallel jurisdiction to the civil law".

Preached

He preached at a memorial and thanksgiving service and did not refer to the issue. He is thought likely to do so during his address to the General Synod in London tomorrow.

The Synod has powers to hold emergency debates over matters of concern within the church but church sources said these were very rare and there was no indication the Archbishop's position would be discussed.

He made no comment as he entered and left Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge.

It was his first public appearance since the row erupted on Thursday.

He was greeted with a mixture of applause, boos and camera flash bulbs as he the left the one-hour long service.

There were no signs of any protest against Dr Williams, although one person shouted "resign" and two people booed as he left the church.

At least two Synod members have called for Dr Williams to go and he has faced criticism from leading bishops, secular groups and government figures.

The Archbishop has been defended by some Church figures.

The Bishop of Hulme, the Rt Rev Stephen Lowe, said he was appalled at the "knee-jerk" reaction to a serious piece of academic work.

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