It appears Jack Straw has made himself a pariah and the cause of all sin by daring to voice that he'd prefer if Muslim women removed their veil when talking to him. Note the qualifier - “preferred” - he has repeatedly stated that he in no way wishes to force this, and I'm sure few would disagree with the state having no right to dictate the dress of its citizens.

What's decidedly worrying is that he is under attack for voicing a view many share. Even the Muslim community is divided on this - the sane members are saying that they can see where he is coming from, while others say it is an attack on their culture. One could equally say that the veil is an attack on our culture and the significance of eye contact and facial expression within conversation. But at the end of the day the problem remains one of intolerance - the inability to tolerate discussion of differences, instead mandating that this be a line one cannot cross. Yet how can one have a tolerant multicultural society unless all constituents are able to debate without the fear of misguided emotional backlash?

This is also nicely embodied this week in the incident of a PC who asked to be transferred from his duties at the Israeli embassy due to their invasion of Lebanon. The press appear to have had a mostly irresponsible field day with this, blaming the Met for overwhelming political correctness and bowing to religious demands. Yet the PC in question only tabled a request, which happened to be granted - not once did he fail to carry out his duties and there's no indication he would have failed to do so had the request been refused - and the least any of us can ask is the chance to raise concerns about our duties when they may conflict with personal beliefs.

Or perhaps it's just been a slow news week and the tabloids and tub-thumping. In which case, shame on them.