UK Immigration Minister says burqa ban would be “un-British”

A ban on wearing the burqa in public like that currently in place in Belgium has been ruled out by the UK Immigration Minister.

UK visa

The UK Immigration Minister has said a burqa ban is unlikely to be made in the UK.

UK Immigration Damian Green said a burqa ban would be “un-British” and it goes against the UK's "tolerant and mutually respectful society."

A YouGov survey last week found more than two-thirds of British voters favoured a ban on full-face veils.

Mr Green said telling people what they can and can't wear, if they're just walking down the street, is a rather un-British thing to do.

A bill making it illegal for people to cover their faces in public was recently introduced by Conservative Party member Philip Hollobone, although it is not expected to have much support in the British Parliment.

In April, Belgium became the first country in Europe to outlaw the burqa in public places.

The lower house of the French parliament voted by 335 to one on Tuesday to approval the law against the concealment of the face in public – thereby making the wearing of burqas illegal. It is expected to pass the upper house in September.

The UK Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their UK Visa applications to the British Embassy.