Monday, April 18, 2005
Britain faces the threat of new race riots if people believe immigration is out of control, Michael Howard has said.
The Conservative leader's remarks came as he was accused of pandering to xenophobia and hatred by angry audience members at a TV show.
Mr Howard, who has put immigration at the heart of his election campaign, insisted good community relations were at risk.
Jonathan Dimbleby, presenter of ITV's Ask The Leaders show, asked if he feared a repeat of the race riots seen in some northern towns: "Are you fearful that if there are more newcomers than is desirable there will be more Burnleys, more Oldhams?"
Mr Howard replied: "Yes. I think people have to have confidence in the system. They have to understand there is a proper system of controls and that gives people reassurance.
"And I think that when people believe that there is no proper system, that immigration is out of control, I think that these anxieties ... makes it more difficult to have good community relations."
Asked again if he was warning of a repeat of violence, Mr Howard said he would not put it in those terms but "we have to be vigilant if we are to make sure we continue to have good community relations".
His remarks risk raising the temperature even further on the controversial subject of immigration.
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