Tory MP attacks 'offensive' burka

Philip Hollobone said he had "huge sympathy" with those who backed a ban on the face-covering veil in public places, claiming it was the religious equivalent of "going round with a paper bag over your head".

He raised the issue in a debate in Parliament's Westminster Hall, saying it was at the "crude end" of the immigration argument.

The Kettering MP said: "I have huge sympathy with those who say they want action against those who want to cover themselves up in public.

"How ridiculous would the House of Commons be if we all wore burkas? How would Mr Speaker (John Bercow) be able to identify which Member to call next?

"It is the religious equivalent of going round with a paper bag over your head with two holes for the eyes.

"It is offensive in my view to want to cut yourself off from face-to-face contact or recognition with other members of the human race.

"I think we should certainly look at ways to tackle that issue."

A poll for a daily newspaper found a third of Britons wanted to see an outright ban on the wearing of burka in public, and two thirds believed wearing it should be illegal in places such as banks and airports.

The UK Independence Party has called for an outright ban.

The subject has sparked intense debate in France and last week French prime minister Francois Fillon asked the country's highest court to help draft a law banning the full Islamic veil.

The Tories moved to distance themselves from Mr Hollobone's comments, saying proposals for a ban risked "stoking fear and misunderstanding".

A Conservative Party spokesman said: "This does not reflect the views of the Conservative party."