Ukip leader Paul Nuttall puts full-face veil ban at heart of party’s general election campaign
Move would put Britain in line with France, Belgium and Bulgaria where the burka – which covers the entire body including face – is outlawed
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall will put a ban on wearing full-face veils at the centre of his general election campaign this week.
He will propose action to tackle the rise of Islamic extremism and promote social integration in his party’s manifesto.
It would put Britain in line with France, Belgium and Bulgaria where the burka – which covers the entire body including face – is outlawed.
Mr Nuttall believes garments such as the burka and niqab are a barrier to social harmony and a security risk.
Launching Ukip’s “integration agenda”, he will also propose an explicit ban on Sharia law being applied in the UK – and all existing sharia courts disbanded.
Other proposals include making failure to report FGM a criminal offence for any adult with knowledge of it taking place.
And he will call for postal voting on demand to be abolished to combat electoral fraud.
Mr Nuttall will say: “Just as we have been vindicated on the need to recognise the downsides of uncontrolled immigration and the hollowing out of our democracy brought about by EU membership, so we shall be vindicated on the need to be more robust in tackling extremism and defending British values.”
The sweeping measures have been drawn up by the party’s deputy leader and culture spokesman Peter Whittle.
Mr Whittle said: “We are the party that speaks up about the threat we face from Islamism from without and within, at a time when the established parties are mute either from fear, denial or sheer cowardice.”