The majority of Britons think describing women in burkas as looking like "letter boxes" and "bank robbers" is not racist - but are split as to whether Boris Johnson should apologise for doing so, according to a new Sky Data poll.

Six in 10 - 60% - say it is not racist to compare Muslim women wearing burkas to bank robbers and letter boxes, as Mr Johnson did in an opinion column earlier this week, while 33% think it is.

However, people are split as to whether the former foreign secretary should apologise for his remarks - 45% think he should do so, 48% think he should not.

A series of prominent Conservatives have called on Mr Johnson to apologise, including the prime minister and the chairman of the Conservative Party, while Tory peer Lord Sheikh has said he should lose the Conservative whip if he does not make a public show of contrition.

Mr Johnson made the remarks in an article opposing a ban on wearing burkas in public places, with such a law recently having been passed in Denmark.


Almost 60% of participants would support enacting such a ban in the UK, with 26% opposed.

There is a stark contrast by age on these issues - 18 to 34-year-olds think Mr Johnson should apologise by 58% to 37%, while those aged 55 and older think he should not by 58% to 31%.

People in Mr Johnson's former stomping ground of London are most critical of the man they twice elected mayor, saying he should apologise by 51% to 41%.

What is a burka, niqab or hijab?

Hijab: The word, meaning "barrier" and referring to the act of covering up in general, is used to describe headscarves worn by Muslim women. They come in different styles and colours, but those commonly worn in the UK cover the head and neck and leave the face clear.

The word, meaning "barrier" and referring to the act of covering up in general, is used to describe headscarves worn by Muslim women. They come in different styles and colours, but those commonly worn in the UK cover the head and neck and leave the face clear. Niqab: The niqab is a veil covering the face which leaves an area around the eyes clear. It is worn with a headscarf, and can also be worn with a separate eye veil.

The niqab is a veil covering the face which leaves an area around the eyes clear. It is worn with a headscarf, and can also be worn with a separate eye veil. Burka: The burka is a one-piece veil that covers the entire face and body. It has just a mesh screen for women to see through.

Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,649 Sky customers by SMS on 8 August 2018. Data are weighted to the profile of the population.

For full Sky Data tables, please click here.