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Speaking to Sky News, the former Ukip leader claimed any poll among Conservative party members on whether to introduce a burka ban in the UK would prove the party would be overwhelmingly in favour of it. The support for the ban would put Boris Johnson in a favourable position at the next leadership election, Mr Farage claimed, following his latest remarks on the religious garment. The British MEP said: “If over half the country wants the burka ban I would bet you that if we polled Conservative party members we’d find that figure was somewhat higher than 50 percent. “And given that at some point in time, when there is a leadership election within the Conservative party, it will be the Tory party members that vote, I suspect these comments make him more likely to be Prime Minister, not less.”

Mr Johnson has been under pressure since writing a piece for the Daily Telegraph in which he suggested women who wear face veils look like “letterboxes” and “bank robbers”. In the article, which was arguing against the UK following Denmark and introducing a ban on face coverings, Mr Johnson also described burkas as “oppressive and ridiculous”. The language outraged some who accused the former Foreign Secretary of stirring up Islamophobia. Mohammed Amin, chair of the Conservative Muslim Forum, described the comments as “very unfortunate” and claimed they could boost the far-right.

Nigel Farage claims Boris Johnson could win next leadership election thanks to burka remarks

I suspect these comments make him more likely to be Prime Minister, not less Nigel Farage

Tensions increased when Brandon Lewis, Chairman of the Conservative Party, posted on Twitter that he had “asked Boris Johnson to apologise”. This position was backed by the Prime Minister who supported the apology call saying Mr Johnson’s words “obviously have offended”. She added: “It is very clear that anyone who is talking about this needs to think very carefully about the language they use.” However, allies of Mr Johnson hit back. Tory MP Jacob Rees Mogg said: “It’s hard to see what he should apologise for.