Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has really stirred up a hornets’ nest of controversy with his statement that sharia law is unavoidable in the UK. As you might expect, most of the commentary is opposed to his ludicrous position, but it’s interesting to see who stands up to defend the introduction of a medieval religious code of “justice” in modern Britain.

The Guardian, always ready to knuckle under to their new overlords, disseminates Hizb ut-Tahrir propaganda: Forget the beheadings, and think of settling marital disputes.

London Times “roving reporter” Martin Fletcher, epitomizing the term “useful idiot journalist,” sings the praises of the Al Qaeda-linked Islamic Courts Council in Somalia: My brush with Islamic justice was swift and fair.

One afternoon Richard Mills, The Times photographer, and I were driving away from the infamous Bakara arms market. In a narrow, rutted sidestreet our way was blocked by an approaching vehicle. Neither driver would give way.

A furious argument flared up, and our bodyguards drew their guns. Happily, ICC policemen arrived in the nick of time and escorted us all to the nearest Sharia court.

We waited in the yard of an old police station. An alleged drug dealer lay on the ground on his stomach, his hands and legs bound together behind his back. Several wretched faces stared out from the dark interiors of cells with barred windows. A bunch of women engaged in some sort of domestic dispute arrived and waited patiently behind us.

Finally the drivers, still arguing furiously, were each told to make their case to a couple of religious elders. They had barely begun before the court adjourned to a nearby carpet for sunset prayers.

When it resumed, and both drivers had had their say, the court pronounced. The two men were ordered to apologise to each other and we were all dismissed.

The court performed its duty with admirable dispatch and minimal fuss and everyone went away happy. It was quicker, cheaper and just as effective as a British magistrates’ court.