Mr Blair said “multicultural Britain” should not be dispensed with, adding: “On the contrary, we should continue celebrating it,”
But he said the suicide bombings in London on 7 July last year had thrown the whole concept of a multiculturalism “into sharp relief”.
“The reason we are having this debate is not generalised extremism. It is a new and virulent form of ideology associated with a minority of our Muslim community.
“It is not a problem with Britons of Hindu, Afro-Caribbean, Chinese or Polish origin. Nor is it a problem with the majoirty of the Muslim community.”
Mr Blair also said: “If you come here lawfully, we welcome you. If you are permitted to stay here permanently, you become an equal member of our community and become one of us.
“The right to be different, the duty to integrate: that is what being British means.
“And neither racists nor extremists should be allowed to destroy it.”
Nowhere in his speech does he say ‘the experiment to multiculturalise the people of England, has backfired’.