Barcelona is first Spanish city to ban burka

Barcelona is to become the first major Spanish city to ban the use of face-covering Islamic veils in municipal buildings.

The Mayor, Jordi Hereu, announced the measure yesterday but insisted it was not aimed at any religion. He said it was aimed at all dress that impeded identification, including motorcycle helmets and ski masks.

Last month Lleida, also in Catalonia, became the first Spanish city to regulate use of body-covering burkas or face-covering niqabs. Several European countries have been debating bans on burkas.