vetuste - "I thought Islam was a religion of peace. I thought the majority of Muslims were tolerant, easy-going people who embrace "British" values. You're not suggesting otherwise are you, Andy? "
No I am not suggesting it.
I am stating it as a fact.
Any section of any society has its intolerant members who believe that others are not toeing the party line, and that applies to all sorts of cultural areas - religion, race, football, music, sexual orientation, the list goes on and on.
It would be naiive to assume that all Muslims are peace-loving tolerant people, just as it would be naiive to assume that all Christians are, or gays, or Chelsea fans, or Beyoncé fans.
But a nasty minority should never be held up as an example of the attitudes and behaviours of the majority. That way lies bigotry and hatred, and we should stamp it out wherever and whenever we find it.