Reform’s Richard Tice doubles down on call for burqa ban debate after chairman quits
Richard Tice says Reform should ‘discuss’ burqa ban after party chair quits
- Reform's deputy leader, Richard Tice, is advocating for a national debate on banning burqas in Britain, despite it not being the party's official policy.
- The call for a debate follows the resignation of Reform's chairman, Zia Yusuf, who deemed the proposal to ban burqas as "dumb."
- Sarah Pochin, Reform's new MP for Runcorn and Helsby, raised the issue during PMQs, urging the government to consider a ban on burqas for public safety reasons, similar to some European countries.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected the call, and a Reform spokesman clarified that banning burqas was not party policy, leading to criticism from the far-right.
- Nigel Farage said he supported a broader debate on face coverings in public, while Mr Tice denied the party was in chaos and praised the work of the outgoing chairman.