GETTY David Cameron has been called on to ban the Burka in the UK

FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

UKIP’s deputy leader Paul Nuttall said a blanket ban on the full face veil is “long overdue” and would act as a huge boost to the fight for gender equality across Britain. Writing for Express.co.uk the MEP yesterday urged the Government and Labour to use International Women’s Day - which is this year using the slogan Pledge For Parity - to fight for a new law banning the Burka.



Opinion polls have consistently shown around two thirds of the public support outlawing the Burka, which is seen by many as an oppressive way for men to subjugate women. Bans on the full face veil have been introduced in France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands on security grounds, but the UK Government has persistently refused to consider one despite a series of public outcries.

There is no question that face veils should be banned anywhere you can’t wear a crash helmet or anything that obscures identity UKIP’s deputy leader Paul Nuttall

Mr Nuttall reignited the debate over its place in British society, when he said the time has come to outlaw it for the wider good of gender equality. He said: “There is no question that face veils should be banned anywhere you can’t wear a crash helmet or anything that obscures identity, such as shopping centres, civic buildings and petrol stations. “Common sense also dictates that where photo ID is required, veiled women should expect to have to show their faces.” The MEP for the North West of England added: “I am concerned that freedom of career choice and jobs will be needlessly limited by wearing a veil. “We need to protect the genuine choice of those that feel pressure to wear a face veil, we need to protect our children from the possibility of thinking such a gender inequality is tolerable, and I hope those that want to wear a veil will understand why a ban is vital. “It is to protect the rights of their fellow women who may not be as lucky as they are and don’t have a genuine choice. Surely that’s a sacrifice most compassionate people would be prepared to make.”

GETTY Opinion polls have consistently shown around two thirds of the public support outlawing the Burka

Opponents of a Burka ban often argue that depriving women of the right to wear the face veil would curb their personal freedom. They claim that many women wear the garment voluntarily - not because they are under pressure from men - and say outlawing it would breach their human rights. But Mr Nuttall pointed out that Governments often pass laws curtailing certain freedoms for the wider good, whilst the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that such bans are legal.

GETTY UKIP’s deputy leader Paul Nuttall said a blanket ban on the full face veil is 'long overdue'

He said: “We have a raft of laws in this country that stop a minority of people doing something out of choice, because we need to protect those that may be forced into it. “There are laws in place in France, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands and other countries, that restricts the wearing of face coverings, where the feminist movement has clearly been more vocal and coherent on this issues than here.”

The UKIP second-in-command also rounded on Labour, who often position themselves as the champions of equality, saying the party is too scared to tackle the issue head-on for fear of alienating ethnic minority voters.



He wrote: “Why aren’t Comrade Corbyn and his Dad’s Army shadow cabinet sat on the front benches in face veils and a tee shirts saying ‘this is what gender inequality looks like?’ “Is it anything to do with the fact that some of their voters might see it as an attack on their culture?

GETTY The UK Government has persistently refused to consider a ban despite a series of outcries

“Are they only interested in equality if it doesn’t cost them votes? “Will Corbyn be honest enough to explain to oppressed women he is only prepared to help if it doesn’t harm Labour’s election chances?”