Jack Straw last night made clear that Sharia principles will always be subject to English law.

Sharia principles could be used to resolve family and other personal disputes but no English court would endorse any agreement which conflicted with English law.

Mr Straw, the justice secretary, said in a speech in London: “I am firm in disagreeing with those who say that Sharia law should be made a separate system in the UK.”

The justice secretary added: “There is nothing whatever in English law that prevents people abiding by sharia principles if they wish to, provided they do not come into conflict with English law. There is no question about that.

“But English law will always remain supreme, and religious councils subservient to it.”

Mr Straw said that if in a family dispute people reached agreement with the help of a Sharia council and wanted it recognised under national law, they could seek the consent of an English court.

“But it is ultimately up to the court to decide whether the agreement complies with English law”, Mr Straw said.

He added:”No court will endorse an agreement which conflicts with English law”.

Religous councils could also be used to reach agreements in other disputes but the deals are subject to English law, he said.

“Crucially, any member of a religious community - or indeed, any other community - has the right to refer to an English court, particularly if they feel pressured or coerced to resolve an issue in a way in which they feel uncomfortable.”

He said there was no room for parallel legal systems in England.

In February, Downing Street slapped down the Archbishop of Canterbury when he suggested the rise of sharia law seemed 'unavoidable'.

But in July, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, who has since retired as Lord Chief Lord Phillips, who has since retired as Lord Chief Justice, said sharia principles could be the basis for resolving family and business disputes.

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