The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his outspoken record on issues such as the Iraq war and sharia law, insisting his role is not to be "too cautious".

Dr Rowan Williams admitted his decision to speak out on a range of issues, including Coalition economic policy, was "risky" but he said this was part of his role as leader of the Church of England.

After a lecture in London, he said: "I just don't think that it will do to be too cautious in a job like this."

Dr Williams leaves his post as Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of this year.