When I first worked in Dubai in 97 - I was shocked by the range of dress and undress exhibited in Spineys on Friday mornings (Muslim Sabbath). This is because those that now travel have become insensative to these culture differences in the UK.

But Bournemouth prosecutes 'skinny dippers' as well

james, shaftesbury, UK

I am a British citizen of South Asian ancestry and -- despite all the spectrum of racism that I have been exposed to -- I still say that Great Britain is largely a very tolerant country. This is why we need to preserve the identity of the British justice system and stop other faiths overruling it.

Name withheld, London,

They should have known better. That said, deporting them may be the easiest solution for all concerned.

Miland Joshi, Birmingham,

This is not a "Christian country" .There are Christians here (those who have faith in Christ) but many of the non Christian majority allow or encourage sex outside marriage and drinking alcohol to excess. So which "values" are we talking about here which we expect people to comply with?

F, Bristol, uk

Ex-pats in the Gulf are here for the opportunities and lifestyle and we abide by the laws. It it simply naive to state that "they (immigrants to UK) don't abide by our laws and culture",where are they? At least here we can walk the streets safe in the knowledge that we actually will get home.

Kate Thomason, Doha , Qatar

So you're saying that we should respect their laws - ok. All Muslims that come to this country should also respect our laws - fair trade off? No to Sharia courts in the UK.

Ian M Jones, Reading, UK

And this is how British holidaymakers continue to ruin their already damaged reputation...

Liz, alicante, Spain

it's nice to see the bulk of comments agree with the writer. it is common courtesy to respect your environment and only a child would think otherwise. i think this decision is more likely to attract westerners than repel them.

Simon Mawdsley, London,

But, meanwhile, we must be "inclusive", and bend over backwards to accomodate all other cultures that despise, and "thumb their noses" at, our traditions, values and culture, openly, in every British city, every day.

I agree, entirely, with your view, but it cuts both ways.

Nick Ansell, Wilmslow, UK

Ross Clark

weldone, Ur brave n honest

Tariq, Glasgow, uk

Anyone living and working in a muslim country must surely know the laws of that country. If they don't abide by them then they deserve whatever punishment they receive. These two were lucky they didn't get longer sentences.

Louise, Bristol, UK

Its all about the government of the country respecting and enforcing the rights of its law abiding citizens. The government of Dubai does, ours, does not!

Kevin Sullivan, London,

"There is no better recruiting sergeant for al-Qaeda than the sight of Westerners trying to thumb their noses at the laws of Islamic countries"

Do you mean its understandable, or that its likely? Either way turning to violence, hatred and murder should be condemned, not mentioned in passing.

Joe, Manchester,

Yes, we must always do our best to appease countries that criminilize and persecute minorities such as gays and transgendered people because if we do hopefully they'll leave us alone and won't hurt us.

After all, it worked with Hitler in the 1930s, didn't it?

Katie, Cardiff, Wales

Whether you're right or not depends how far you extend your 'when in Rome...' logic. You could take it as far as saying 'When in some parts of Islamic Africa, don't call a teddy bear Mohamed'.

Dale, Manchester,

If British people do something against their laws or culture there is all kinds of trouble but they can come over to Britain and live the lifestyle they want and keep practicing their customs. If they want us to respect their way of doing things then they should respect our way of doing things.

John, edinburgh, scotland

So it's ok for the mass immigrants into the UK to "thumb their noses at the laws of the UK" . Whereby expats are expected to follow the laws of the country they live in, soft touch UK does not apply the same principles, in fear of being branded racist. No wonder this country is going to the dogs.

Mark J, Reading,

Agree with Benoit totally here... The muslim countries have thier rules and we have ours however a lot of the muslims in the UK dont adhere to UK law and have their own Sharia law. Until we have peace i'd never go to a muslim country on holiday and if i did then i'd obey the rules 110%.

Dan, Kent,, UK

It utterly defeats my ability to understand - why civilised people would spend their hard earned money in these muslim enclaves.

Infidel, Torremolinos,

Can TP Mullen not see that the flouting of another country's laws is exactly the sort of thing that encourages
muslim extremists to blow westerners up??

I completely agree with what Ross Clark's says in his article. If TP Mullen cannot see this then I despair....

melanie coombs, wotton-u-edge, uk

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Dubai, be careful and considerate: not blatantly stupid.

Brian Leslie Engler, Richmond, B.C., Canada

We need to have this tough stance here in london and maybe we could begin to control knife and gun crime.

sohiab, hemel, herts

This is not about sex on beaches leading to explosions Mr/Ms Mullen, it is about people flouting social convention simply because they are Western.

Every time a westerner flagrantly violates the socal norms in any country it adds a few more grains of sand to the problem as a whole.

Yuko Mizushima, Akita, Japan

Exactly. It seems that certain types of Brits and other
nationals appear to think they can behave themselves in a drunken manner anywhere, just like they do in Magaluf.

Dubai is an Islamic country - respect it. If you cannot or will not, then get out!

Uncle Vanya, Chelmsford, England

When in Rome.... Applies both ways.

Jase, Liverpool, UK

in 3 months the duo come home and take the tabloid mint for their inevitable 'my dubai hell' stories and then get invited onto Celebrity Big Brother. Meanwhile the Emirates bends its laws a bit to attact our pounds, and we turn an ocassional blind eye in order to attract theirs - way of the world

R, London, England

does an extremist need another reason?

m gallagher, Livingston, uk

With regards the comment from Benoit.

I was born in the United Kingdom, had good schooling, and have played active part in British Society AND I am a Muslim !

Which Muslims Object to "Christian country" values? Which values are they? nonsense!

As for integration, what about the British in Spain

Ameer, London, United Kingdom

I'd find it quite rude/disturbing if my child was taught by someone peering out from a letterbox.......is this he same?

Andrew, Lincoln, UK

You call for us to respect the laws in Dubai which is fine. However the same principles are not applied here. We have lost our national identity to appease people from all over the world. Outside cultures have changed the face of Britian. Where is our respect?

James, Stoke on Trent, England

Why only in Dubai? Why should shagging on a public beach be tolerated anywhere? If they were doing it on Oxford Street at midday, surely they do some time.....no?

Kenny Moore, Niagara Falls, Canada

I'd like to second Benoit's comment. People who go to Britain should respect the British culture and laws.

Glen, Melbourne,

british tourist are becoming a problem where ever they go
personally i would like all the brits to leave arabian gulf as we get nothing from them except trouble

majed, abu dhabi, uae

if you don't like their laws don't go, just go brighton

M ali, birmingham,

If you were a judge, then you would know that 3 months jail is within the Dubai legal framework.

Personally, I think that the UK shold ban women covering their faces. I mean, what do they have to hide. Only naughty men can be pleased with this covering up rule. It's shameless.

James William Murray, Oxford,

"There is no better recruiter for al-Qaeda than Westerners thumbing their noses at the laws of Islamic countries"

What rubbish !

How about bombing, invasion, torture and killing ? Or is that of no consequence ?

richard mullens, London, Europe

Why these Dubai Moslems don't like drinking and sex is quite beyond me. Personally, I love it. never mind, some people don't like to have any fun.

James William Murray, Oxford,

I very much agree with you.
especially when you said how Dubai would sometimes ignore these things so that they dont turn foreign tourists away, which the have done Alot.
most arabs here do not like the way the xpats/tourits take out ALOT of freedom in dubai and Disrespect our culture and religion.

naila, Dubai, UAE

One Must obide by the law of the land, regardles of how you you feel about it!
A officer of police reminded them of there law and they choose TO disregard it hence:that makes them outlaws.
an act punishable by the state as it see,s fit.

MUNIR, Bolton, GREAT BRITAIN

Anybody who visits another country has the obligation to respect their status as guest and respect the laws and traditions of their hosts. Yet the average ugly Briton abroad lives in self satisfied arrogant ignorance of language and culture. They have shamed us all.

Gilbert Charles, London, UK

It is hard to imagin that there is a connection between Westerners behavour and recruting condition for Al-Qaeda ,
for Moslems, Islam is the only right faith ,and Islam must conquer the world . West must wake up befor it becomes too late.

Ali, Toronro, Canada

If I were a Judge i would most certaintly have sentensed them to at least 6 months because the law is clear and those who wish to break the law must pay for their stupidity. I have so sympathy for idiots who break the local laws.

latif, LONDON, UK

Absolutely, when we go over there we should abide by their laws, and when they come over here they should abide by ours. DO THEY??? NO, cause we are too busy sucking up to them.....

Ian, Chesterfield, uk

Agree with you 100%.

Dont like it, dont go there.

Andy, Bristol, UK

What a stupid thing to say....So a couple having sex on a beach will "encourage" muslims to blow Westerners up.

TP Mullen, Boston, Lincs

can we then make the same comments about these people coming to our Christian countries and who are offended when we expect them to comply to our values? If yes, then I agree. one law for everyone. Otherwise it is time to stop dropping all our believes and values in the name of the tolerance!!

Benoit, London, UK