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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rowena Mason Whitehall editor

Kemi Badenoch says she does not speak to women in burqas at constituency surgery

Kemi Badenoch in the Commons
Kemi Badenoch was asked about her views after a Reform MP triggered a debate over banning the burqa. Photograph: House of Commons/PA

Kemi Badenoch has said she will not speak to women wearing burqas in her constituency surgery, and argued that employers should be able to ban their staff from wearing face coverings.

The Conservative leader gave her views after the newest Reform MP, Sarah Pochin, triggered a debate over the subject by pressing Keir Starmer on whether he would follow the lead of other European countries such as France in banning the burqa.

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