Lord Tebbit compares Sharia law with Kray twins' arbitration system

The former Cabinet minister used the example of the twins - Ronnie and Reggie - who ran an underworld empire in the 1950s and 60s, to highlight the problem of women precluded from access to British law by some cultures.

At question time in the Lords, Lord Bach had told peers that individuals have "the option to use religious councils or any other system of alternative dispute resolution" but that English law would prevail if there was any conflict.

But Lord Tebbit said: "A few years ago in the East End of London there was a system of arbitration of disputes that was run by the Kray brothers.

"Are you not not aware that there is extreme pressure put upon vulnerable women to go through a form of arbitration that results in them being virtually precluded from access to British law? [telegraph.co.uk] Read more See Also: [MailOnline] Read more