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MP reveals the truth behind his beliefs about the burka
Kettering MP Philip Hollobone caused controversy earlier this week with his views on the burka and whether it should be banned.
Here, in his own words, the MP speaks in depth about his comments and why he felt he had to speak out.
"I have been concerned about the burka for some time, but it wasn't until I took my children to the play area at Wicksteed Park recently and saw a woman wearing a burka that it really came home to me how inappropriate and frankly offensive it was for people to wear this most ridiculous apparel in 21st century Britain.
"In my view, wearing the burka is not an acceptable form of dress and the banning of it should be seriously considered.
"As I was sitting on a bench in the playground watching my children play on the slides, I thought to myself "here I am in the middle of Kettering, in the middle of England – a country that has been involved for centuries with spreading freedom and democracy throughout the world - and here's a woman, who through her dress is effectively saying she doesn't want to have any normal human dialogue or interaction with anyone else."
"By covering her entire face she is effectively saying that our society is so objectionable – even in the friendly, happy environment of a children's playground - that we're not even allowed to cast a glance upon her.
"Well, I find that offensive and I think it's time the country did something about it. We will never have a country in which we can all rub along together and in which people of different backgrounds all get along nicely if a section of our society refuses to be even looked upon by everyone else."
See Saturday's Evening Telegraph for the full exclusive interview with Philip Hollobone.
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
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