Boris Johnson forced to clarify post-7/7 Islam comments

Sunday, 20 April 2008 12:00 AM

London mayoral candidate Boris Johnson has clarified his opinion of Islam after criticism of comments he wrote in the wake of the London 7/7 terrorist attacks.

In an article for the Spectator on July 16th 2005 calling for a reassertion of British values in the face of Islamic extremism, the Conservative MP argued that "Islam is the problem" and claimed that "Islamophobia. seems a natural reaction" for non-Muslim readers of the Koran.

He also labelled Islam "the most viciously sectarian of all religions in its heartlessness towards unbelievers".

But taking part in a debate with Ken Livingstone and Brian Paddick, his main rivals for the London mayoral elections, Mr Johnson has stressed that his article was solely referring to extremists' misuse of the words of the Koran.

"The problem is people who wrench out of context quotes from the holy book of Islam, the Koran, and use it to inspire evil in men's hearts," he said on BBC1's Politics Show.

"That is a fact that few serious people would deny and we need to tackle the extremists."

And after reports that equality watchdog Trevor Philips is to claim a 'cold war' based on racial and religious tensions could erupt in the UK due to concerns over mass immigration, Mr Johnson said a reassessment of British immigration policy was paramount.

"There has certainly been too much uncounted and unfunded immigration into London. That presents huge problems for the London Boroughs which have to cope with the influx," he added.

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• domestic policy
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• elections
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• equality
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• immigration