The aArchbishop clarifies and reiterates his support

The Archbishop clarifies and reiterates his support for the Sharia. It is already creating controversies amongst pro and anti sharia groups in the west. - t

Williams in synod Sharia address

Dr Williams said law and religion needed to be debated Williams speaks

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says he does not regret speaking about Sharia law, as it is right to air other religious communities' concerns.

He told the Church of England's general synod he felt some remarks had been taken out of context, but he accepted he may have created misunderstanding.

He has faced calls to apologise for his comments, in which he implied adopting aspects of Sharia law was unavoidable.

Earlier PM Gordon Brown praised Dr Williams's "great integrity".

I believe quite strongly that it is not inappropriate for a pastor of the Church of England to address issues about the perceived concerns of other religious communities Dr Rowan Williams

Dr Williams told clergy and lay people at the synod - the Church's governing body - he believed "some of what has been heard is a very long way indeed from what was actually said".