Banning the Burqa
I noticed that today, 14th June, 2025, the Independent has published an article regarding the banning of the burqa, worn by Muslim women.
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/burqa-ban-muslim-women-reform-sarah-pochin-veil-b2766544.html
The article began by stating:
"It wasn’t surprising to hear newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin call for a ban on the burqa – such calls resurface from time to time.
What was surprising, however, was her decision to use her very first parliamentary question to raise this issue, rather than ask about pressing concerns such as the cost of living, NHS pressures or the rise in crime levels. Instead, she chose to single out and stigmatise Muslim women, making unfounded claims about public safety.
On reflection, though, Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) provided a high-profile national platform, making it an ideal stage to stir further negativity towards Muslims."
A statement by the Independent which resonated with me regarding Scooploop, was:
"Many people conceal their identities online to spread misinformation or abuse, yet this form of anonymity rarely provokes the same level of scrutiny by the same politicians."
Another interesting point made was:
"A burqa ban will not promote community cohesion and integration. It is likely to have the opposite effect
Claims that a burqa ban will promote community cohesion and integration are likely to have the opposite effect – deepening divisions instead. When any group feels threatened or pressured to conform through such hostile measures, they are more likely to become even more attached to how they express their identity.
For the small minority of women who wear the veil, it may bring personal, social or economic challenges, but it remains their choice. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Muslim women who do not wear the veil continue to face significant social and economic barriers that are often overlooked.
If concerns about integration and community cohesion were genuine, politicians would prioritise addressing the systemic discrimination and inequalities these women regularly experience.
Some argue the burqa should be banned because it is considered offensive. Not everything that is offensive is prohibited.
For example, in the UK, the right to offend is protected as part of freedom of speech, allowing the expression of unpopular or controversial views provided no harm is caused and laws are not broken.
Similarly, while some may find the burqa visually offensive, the right of Muslim women to express their identity in this way must also be respected, because their clothing does not harm anyone."
Moving along to my research:
27th April 2017 Channel 4 News researched and published and article after Paul Nuttall (UKIP) stated "If CCTV is to be effective, in an age of heightened terror, you need to see people’s faces.” – Paul Nuttall, 23 April 2017
https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/is-the-burqa-really-a-terror-threat
Unsurprisingly, when Channel 4 asked UKIP for their evidence, they failed to supply any.
The number of crimes reportedly committed by people wearing burqas is so few that in the research for Channel 4, David Videcette, a former officer with Scotland Yard’s Anti-Terrorist Squad who was at the centre of the 7/7 bombings inquiry, told FactCheck that he didn’t think burqas posed a particular security threat. In fact, he said he was only aware of two suspects who had used it to disguise themselves: one in 2005 and the other in 2010. I don't, at the moment, have any updated data on the subject, but I very much doubt that there is much change in the trend.
In 2016 there was a reported average of 22 crimes using motorcycles and helmets, per day in London alone. Nationwide that figure would have been huge. Crime figures have not gone down since then.
A YouTube video on the subject can be found here:
duck://player/qwuSshIlUL0
To my mind more crime could be prevented by banning motorcycles and crash helmets than could ever be prevented by banning the use of a burqa. I do question the motive of those demanding a ban in the light of genuine data available.
From the evidence I have seen, and I've researched this looking at Government PDF data, Police data and other sources, doubts about National Security issues are totally unfounded.
There is no justifiable reason to ban the burqa, other than on racist grounds, and I'm never going to agree to that!
What do you think?
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/burqa-ban-muslim-women-reform-sarah-pochin-veil-b2766544.html
The article began by stating:
"It wasn’t surprising to hear newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin call for a ban on the burqa – such calls resurface from time to time.
What was surprising, however, was her decision to use her very first parliamentary question to raise this issue, rather than ask about pressing concerns such as the cost of living, NHS pressures or the rise in crime levels. Instead, she chose to single out and stigmatise Muslim women, making unfounded claims about public safety.
On reflection, though, Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) provided a high-profile national platform, making it an ideal stage to stir further negativity towards Muslims."
A statement by the Independent which resonated with me regarding Scooploop, was:
"Many people conceal their identities online to spread misinformation or abuse, yet this form of anonymity rarely provokes the same level of scrutiny by the same politicians."
Another interesting point made was:
"A burqa ban will not promote community cohesion and integration. It is likely to have the opposite effect
Claims that a burqa ban will promote community cohesion and integration are likely to have the opposite effect – deepening divisions instead. When any group feels threatened or pressured to conform through such hostile measures, they are more likely to become even more attached to how they express their identity.
For the small minority of women who wear the veil, it may bring personal, social or economic challenges, but it remains their choice. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Muslim women who do not wear the veil continue to face significant social and economic barriers that are often overlooked.
If concerns about integration and community cohesion were genuine, politicians would prioritise addressing the systemic discrimination and inequalities these women regularly experience.
Some argue the burqa should be banned because it is considered offensive. Not everything that is offensive is prohibited.
For example, in the UK, the right to offend is protected as part of freedom of speech, allowing the expression of unpopular or controversial views provided no harm is caused and laws are not broken.
Similarly, while some may find the burqa visually offensive, the right of Muslim women to express their identity in this way must also be respected, because their clothing does not harm anyone."
Moving along to my research:
27th April 2017 Channel 4 News researched and published and article after Paul Nuttall (UKIP) stated "If CCTV is to be effective, in an age of heightened terror, you need to see people’s faces.” – Paul Nuttall, 23 April 2017
https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/is-the-burqa-really-a-terror-threat
Unsurprisingly, when Channel 4 asked UKIP for their evidence, they failed to supply any.
The number of crimes reportedly committed by people wearing burqas is so few that in the research for Channel 4, David Videcette, a former officer with Scotland Yard’s Anti-Terrorist Squad who was at the centre of the 7/7 bombings inquiry, told FactCheck that he didn’t think burqas posed a particular security threat. In fact, he said he was only aware of two suspects who had used it to disguise themselves: one in 2005 and the other in 2010. I don't, at the moment, have any updated data on the subject, but I very much doubt that there is much change in the trend.
In 2016 there was a reported average of 22 crimes using motorcycles and helmets, per day in London alone. Nationwide that figure would have been huge. Crime figures have not gone down since then.
A YouTube video on the subject can be found here:
duck://player/qwuSshIlUL0
To my mind more crime could be prevented by banning motorcycles and crash helmets than could ever be prevented by banning the use of a burqa. I do question the motive of those demanding a ban in the light of genuine data available.
From the evidence I have seen, and I've researched this looking at Government PDF data, Police data and other sources, doubts about National Security issues are totally unfounded.
There is no justifiable reason to ban the burqa, other than on racist grounds, and I'm never going to agree to that!
What do you think?
