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The American pastor who plans to burn copies of the Koran to mark the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington was branded a "stupid bigot" by a cabinet minister today.
Speaking in the Commons this afternoon Sir George Young pleased many MPs by telling them: "I think the man is a stupid bigot."
The leader of the House of Commons was responding to a question from Labour MP Paul Blomfield who asked whether the government had an official response to the planned book burning.
He said: "I'm sure the whole House will share concern over the plans of the reverend Terry Jones of the World Outreach Centre in Florida to organise a public burning of the Koran on Saturday."
Downing Street issued a slightly more restrained criticism of the pastor, with a spokesman saying that while it was primarily a matter for the United States the government would not condone the burning of any book.
The spokesman added: "We would strongly oppose any attempt to offend any member of any religious or ethnic group. We are committed to religious tolerance."
The pastor's plan has drawn criticism from around the world and across the political spectrum.
President Obama has branded the plan a "stunt" and said it would serve as "a recruitment bonanza for al Qaeda."
Speaking to ABC News in the United States he said: "I just want him to understand this stunt he’s talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform."
And General David Petraeus, the American commander of troops in Afghanistan, warned that images of a burning Kiran would be used by extremists to "inflame public opinion and incite violence."
While former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said book burning was "antithetical to American ideals".
Writing on her Facebook page the conservative politician said: "People have a constitutional right to burn a Koran if they want to, but doing so is insensitive and an unnecessary provocation."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd