A devout Muslim who said he had been married under Sharia law and could not be divorced in UK has lost a High Court fight.

The man's wife, who has dual British and Pakistani nationality, had issued apetition for divorce in England.

But the man said divorce could only be approved in Pakistan.

A judge has dismissed his claim after a hearing in the Family Division of theHigh Court in Birmingham.

Mr Justice Francis said the woman lived in England and had a right to seek a divorce in England.

He suggested if he had ruled in favour of the man he would have been approving "racial and gender discrimination".

During the ruling, Mr Justice Francis said the man's claim had 'far-reaching consequences':

It would mean that she would be subjected to different rules of English law than people of other faiths or other nationalities living here. Mr Justice Francis

Mr Justice Francis did not identify the couple involved.