UKIP have defended a planned burka ban by saying it will help women increase their vitamin D intake due to a greater exposure to sunlight.

The party’s leader, Paul Nuttall, unveiled the election manifesto at a press conference in Westminster on Thursday.

The policy is outlined by the document, which says face-covering veils like the burka and niqab are “de-humanising.”

It maintains such clothing, which could hide evidence of domestic abuse, limit employment chances - and prevent intake of vitamin D from the Sun.

Paul Nuttall has denied the policy is an attack on Islam and Muslims, saying there is no human right for an identity to be concealed.