Anglican leader to speak out after storm

By Adrian Croft

LONDON (Reuters) - Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans, gets a chance to respond on Monday to a barrage of criticism after saying the introduction in Britain of some aspects of Islamic law is unavoidable.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has remained silent on the subject since his comments on Thursday on the use of sharia in Britain led to calls for him to resign.

The storm is part of a broader debate on integrating the country's 1.8 million Muslims that has climbed the political agenda since suicide bombings by British Muslims killed 52 people in London's transport system in July 2005.

Williams may respond to his critics when he makes a speech at 3 p.m. GMT on Monday to open a meeting of the Church of England's parliament, the General Synod.

A handful of the synod's 467 members have publicly called for Williams to step down, calling him politically inept.

Leading politicians and churchmen have said Britain can have only one legal system, although some have defended him as a thoughtful man who was trying to open a debate.

Several popular newspapers have attacked Williams, with the best-selling Sun launching a campaign for him to go.

A spokeswoman for Williams said on Sunday that the archbishop was not considering stepping down.