'Women should come forward if coerced by Sharia councils'

Helen Grant told MPs there was nothing to stop people using religious councils to reach agreements on a “voluntary basis”, following controversy over talks in Bradford.

But she said: “These decisions are subject to national law and are not legally enforceable in themselves.

“Any member of any community should know they have the right to refer to an English court at any point – especially if they feel pressured, or coerced, to resolve any issue in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.”

The comments were in response to a debate led by Keighley MP Kris Hopkins, who had urged ministers to rule out any sponsoring of Sharia courts.

The Bradford Council for Mosques is in talks to start up a local Sharia panel and, Mr Hopkins argued, was calling for recognition and resources from the Government.

Meanwhile, a Panorama investigation, this week, reported on the plight of women who have sought a Sharia divorce in Islamic religious councils after suffering domestic abuse.

It found evidence of women being asked to return to violent marriages, or to give up their children to abusive partners.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Hopkins welcomed what he called a “good response” from Miss Grant, the junior justice minister. He said: “There are fears out there that another judicial system is emerging in this country. The minister clearly, and unequivocally, set out where the law stands.”

The Bradford Council for Mosques has accused Mr Hopkins of misrepresenting its comments for political purposes.

It insisted it had no intention of replacing Britain’s national court system, but wanted a “robust and transparent framework” to make any Sharia council as effective as possible.

During the debate, Miss Grant also said the Government was urging mosques to register for the right to perform civil marriages. Mr Hopkins welcomed that approach, arguing it would help set out clearly the legal rights of anyone getting married.