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BOXER Amir Khan has spoken out for the first time over the controversy surrounding his Union Flag shorts.

And the 21-year-old vowed to continue flying the flag for Britain in the ring.

Exiled radical cleric Omar Bakri Mohammad this week launched a tirade against the Bolton-born Olympic silver medallist, accusing him of setting a bad example to Muslims.

"He wears shorts with the Union Jack. That is a sin," Omar Bakri, who left London for Lebanon in 2005, was reported as saying.

"He should not be wearing the flag because sovereignty is for God. His only allegiance should be to the Prophet Mohammed."

Politicians and senior British Muslims leapt to Khan's defence, with Muslim Council of Britain general secretary Inayat Bunglawala describing Amir as "a wonderful role model".

Bolton South-east MP Dr Brian Iddon, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Yaseer Ahmed, from the Bolton Council of Mosques, also spoke in support of the Bolton fighter.

And yesterday Khan himself hit back at a press conference ahead of Saturday's lightweight fight with Dane Martin Kristjansen at his Gloves gym in Prince Street, Halliwell.

"I am not going to change," he told reporters.

"I will be coming into the ring in my normal clothes and I'm going to stay the same way."

Khan takes on the Kristjansen in the WBO world title eliminator at Bolton Arena.

The fight is being billed as "National Pride" on posters and Amir's website shows him draped in a Union Jack.

Promoter Frank Warren has described Khan as "the face of modern multi-cultural Britain" and said young people look up to him.

"Amir likes to keep his religion private and personal but I know he is extremely proud to be British and represent his country in the boxing ring and he is equally proud of his Pakistani heritage," Mr Warren added.

4:57pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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