By Shadow Justice Secretary Jenrick says he would “probably” ban the burqa
Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said in a phone-in on Talk radio that he would “probably” support a public ban on burqas.
His comments appear to differ from the position of his party leader, Kemi Badenoch.
When asked about the issue, Jenrick referenced similar measures being introduced in other countries, such as Italy, and suggested there is a case for discussing the burqa in the context of broader social and cultural values.
He said:
I think there’s definitely a strong argument for it. There are basic values in this country and we should stand up and defend them, and and where you’re seeing them fraying at the edges or frankly being completely destroyed, whether it’s Sharia courts or wearing of the burqa, these are issues we’re going to have to confront if we want to build the kind of society that we want to hand on to our kids and grandkids.
Amid differing views within and between parties, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has opposed a nationwide burqa ban, suggesting instead that employers set rules on face coverings, while recent moves in Italy and Portugal have introduced bans on veils.
Earlier this year, Reform MP Sarah Pochin sparked an internal debate in her party, with a spokesperson clarifying that a ban is not party policy despite some pressure from far-right members. Labour politicians have criticized calls for a ban, with MP Sam Rushworth describing them as “anti-British,” and the Prime Minister’s office emphasizing Britain’s tradition of religious tolerance and integration.
Polling indicates that a plurality of British voters support a burqa ban for security reasons, though commentators and politicians note that such measures remain rare and may address only part of broader societal concerns.
Coverage highlights both an ideological and political split across the media. Left-leaning outlets have described his remarks as “peddling division” suggesting they could undermine UK values and create tensions within his party. Right-leaning coverage has emphasized support for a “tougher line” on the issue, while more centrist perspectives have highlighted that the ban is not party policy, characterizing Jenrick’s comments as an “off-the-cuff remark”.
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It is worth nothing that in June, the Telegraph published a contradictory article titled, “Women should not be veiling their faces in Western society”
Immigration judges too ‘scared’ to work after Jenrick’s comments
The Times also ran an article in June similar article to that of the Telegraph, titled, “Face it, there’s good grounds to curb the burqa”
Robert Jenrick joins Reform MP in calling for burka ban in Britain
