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MP is asked to draw veil over burka issue
Kettering MP Philip Hollobone has been told to focus his priorities on matters which affect the people living in his constituency, rather than pursuing a ban on the burka.
Kettering Parish Priest Dominic Barrington and chairman of the Kettering Muslim Association Iman Khan have both said there are more important issues the MP should be addressing, rather than pursuing an issue which has little direct impact on any of his constituents.
In a joint letter to a national newspaper, Mr Barrington and Mr Khan said: "We were struck by the irony of our MP's plans to refuse to meet any of his constituents who wear a veil.
"Such a form of dress is not, to our knowledge, worn by anyone in the local community.
"Not a single Muslim female has visited Mr Hollobone, veiled or unveiled, since he was elected.
"Our town has its share of social challenges, but it is plain to us that none of them relate to problems that can be linked to any religious issues.
"It is our hope that he might re-focus his priorities to the benefit of those whom he has been elected to serve."
Mr Barrington said he would not go into further detail on his personal views on the wearing of the burka, but he said it was a "complex issue" and he "understood" why Mr Hollobone had decided to raise it.
Speaking to the Evening Telegraph, he said: "This is empty rhetoric from Mr Hollobone and there is cheap irony in the number of people in the constituency which this affects. I would rather Mr Hollobone devote his energy to other issues."
Mr Hollobone said he was surprised that Mr Barrington and Mr Khan had chosen to write to a national newspaper, rather than contact him directly.
He said: "I have always made it very clear that I am very happy to talk about the issue. The whole point of Parliament is to take local issues and debate them on a national level.
"The last time I offered to go and speak to the Muslim Association, they refused the invitation.
"You only have to go to somewhere like Wicksteed Park to see we have people wearing the burka.
"There are families visiting from places like Luton or Leicester who are wearing the burka.
"The covering of one's face in public, be it with the balaclava or burka, is not necessary in 21st century Britain."
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
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