Reform UK Bans Face Coverings in Public

Reform UK has said it would ban face coverings in public places, including burkas and balaclavas, if it won power at the next election.

This decision comes after masked men gathered in Dover to protest against small boat crossings.

Home Office minister Sarah Jones said police had powers over coverings at protests but added: 'When people are going about their daily business, it is absolutely fine to wear them for religious reasons, and that will continue. '

In his article, Nigel Farage said he was 'all for the protest' in Dover but added: 'This is not the way to go about it.

Farage called for a ban on the burka and other face veils as far back as 2010, when he was a member of the European Parliament.

Labour's Crime and Policing Act gave police powers to create mask-free zones at protests, backed by fines of up to £1,000 or one month's imprisonment, or both.

The Nottingham ban is aimed at people whom police believe are concealing their identity to commit a crime or anti-social behaviour.

Reform figures have previously expressed support for prohibiting face coverings in public, but it had not previously been adopted as the party's official position.

In his article, Nigel Farage called for a ban on the burka and other face veils as far back as 2010.

In February, Reform home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf said he 'personally' supported a ban on all face coverings in public.

Farage called for a wider ban, arguing that events he attended were targeted by masked protesters and that people should be identifiable in public spaces.

Several countries have introduced restrictions on where face coverings can be worn, including France, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Chad and Algeria.

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