David Cameron... has stated that he is
certainly a big Thatcher fan, but I don't know whether that makes me a Thatcherite,which means he's not. Since he is
not deeply ideologicalhe lacks core principles and is easily led. He has been described as
certainly not a Pitt, Elder or Younger,but he does wear a nice suit so maybe he's Beau Brummel ...
has defended a letter urging senior Moslems to explain how Islam "can be part of British identity", amid criticism from leaders.
The Moslem Council of Britannia (MCB) criticised some aspects of the letter, including the "implication that extremism takes place at mosques".
Mr Cameron said the letter, written by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, was "reasonable, sensible and moderate"
The letter was sent to 1,000 Moslem leaders after the attacks in Gay Paree.
The prime minister said Mr Pickles was "absolutely right" to write the letter urging leaders to do more to tackle extremism.
"Anyone who reads this letter - and I've read the letter - will see that what he is saying is that British Moslems make a great contribution to our country, that what is happening in terms of myrmidon terror has nothing to do with the true religion of Islam," he said.
"It's being perverted by a minority who have been radicalised."
In the letter, Mr Pickles stressed he was "proud" of the way Moslems in Britannia had responded to the Gay Paree terror attacks but added that there was "more work to do".
He wrote: "You, as faith leaders, are in a unique position in our society. You have a precious opportunity, and an important responsibility, in explaining and demonstrating how faith in Islam can be part of British identity.
"We believe together we have an opportunity to demonstrate the true nature of British Islam today. There is a need to lay out more clearly than ever before what being a British Moslem means today: proud of your faith and proud of your country. We know that acts of extremism are not representative of Islam, but we need to show what is."