British PM backs Archbishop of Canterbury

LONDON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The British prime minister spoke Monday in defense of the Archbishop of Canterbury's statements calling the influence of Islamic law "unavoidable."

Dr. Rowan Williams angered many conservatives in a statement last week saying the incorporation of parts of Islamic law into English law were "unavoidable."

"The Prime Minister believes the Archbishop of Canterbury is a man of great integrity and dedication to public and community services, and he understands the difficulty he is facing at the moment," Prime Minister Gordon Brown said through a spokesman.

The spokesman stressed the statements of support did not reflect a view by the prime minister that Islamic law or other cultural influences should be anything but "subservient to British criminal and civil law," The Times of London said Monday.

The statements by Williams sparked widespread criticism from within the Church of England and religious officials worldwide. Some church officials called for his resignation from the head of the church.

His predecessor, however, defended the comments, 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."