Monkeyfun, //does it say in any of the holy books of islam that female mutilation has to be done? //
In the Sunnah, Muhammad states that circumcision was a "law for men and a preservation of honour for women".
That doesn't mean that the majority of Muslims follow that advice - well at least not for women - but it is often used to justify female circumcision. The Koran itself says ' "Let there be no change in Allah's creation". (Qur'an 30:30) - but, despite the contents of that book being the 'unalterable' word of God (allegedly) that bit is ignored where Muslim men are concerned.
//This couldn't be just tabloid scaremongering could it//
No.
http://imkaan.org.uk/...ASE%20-%2025NOV11.pdf
And bear in mind this report only concerns London. In the notes to editors, the press release states:
The Imkaan report, The Missing Link, is a London study. However it is well known that there are many towns and cities in other parts of the UK where these forms of violence occur and need urgent attention.
I wonder just how many girls are subjected to these barbaric practices nationwide?
Daffy, I think the reference to Irish Travellers probably relates to enforced marriages and not to genital mutilation.