Labour ducking polygamy issue because of 'cultural sensitivity', says Muslim peer

Politicians have failed to take polygamy seriously because of 'cultural sensitivity', a Muslim peer has claimed.

Baroness Warsi, a Tory spokesman for community cohesion, said this has resulted in laws banning the practice not being properly enforced.
The Conservative peer urged the Government to bring in rules demanding the registration of all religious marriage ceremonies to stop men in Britain marrying more than one woman without registering them.

The Government has no figures on polygamous marriages, but the practice is thought to be common in parts of the Muslim communities and the number is thought to run into thousands.
Polygamy is a crime in Britain, punishable by up to seven years in jail.

But the practice is legal in many Muslim countries, and the UK benefits system recognises 'extra' wives as dependents - provided the marriage took place legally overseas.
Islamic law allows a man to take up to four wives, provided he can support them properly and equally.

In some cases it is thought Muslim men marry second wives in a religious ceremony in the UK without registering the marriage.
The changes urged by Baroness Warsi would end that practice by demanding that all such weddings be registered - rendering the man liable to prosecution.
The Tory peer, who was born in Britain to Pakistani parents, said: 'There has been a failure on the part of policy-makers to respond to this situation.

'Some of it has been done in the name of cultural sensitivity and we've just avoided either discussing or dealing with this matter head on.'
She told the BBC: 'There has to be a culture change and that has to be brought about by policymakers taking a very clear stance on this issue, saying that in this country, one married man is allowed to marry one woman.
'And that must be the way for everyone who lives in this country.'
Muslim weddings are not recognised by the state, and couples must also undergo a register office ceremony to be married in the eyes of the law.

Baroness Warsi proposed rules making it compulsory to register private Muslim 'Nikah' marriage ceremonies which take place in the home - with 'an imam and a couple of witnesses there' - within a four-week period.
She said: 'If that was the case, then those marriages would have to be declared within law and if those marriages were declared within law, then clearly if the person has a first legal wife then there could be potential cases of bigamy being brought.'
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: 'It is Government policy to prevent the formation of polygamous households.

'Polygamous marriages that have been contracted in overseas countries are legally recognised.
'It is not the role of Government to take a position on the rites, beliefs or practices of any particular religious faith, other than where these give rise to conflict with the common law.'
Ministers reviewed polygamy laws last year, but opted to leave them unchanged.

Men with multiple wives can claim extra income support, jobseeker's allowance and housing and council tax benefits for his dependents provided the marriage took place legally overseas - although the state only recognises one of his wives as his legal spouse.