Education secretary backs classroom ban on Muslim veils

Schools should be able to decide whether to ban Muslim girls from wearing face veils in lessons, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has said.

Mrs Morgan said uniform policy is "very much up to schools" and head teachers have the right to decide if they want to ban the veil.

It follows comments from Sir Michael Wilshaw, the head of the education watchdog Ofsted, who said veils cause communication issues in the classroom.

Asked if he would back banning veils in schools, Sir Michael told BBC's Newsnight: "Yes, I would".

Sir Michael Wilshaw, the head of Ofsted. Credit: PA Wire
Nicky Morgan has backed Sir Michael's view. Credit: PA Wire
David Cameron. Credit: PA Wire

David Cameron has also said he would back institutions that "needed to see someone's face" and that have "sensible rules" over Muslims wearing full-face veils.

But he ruled out a full France-esque public ban, saying it was not "the way we do things in this country".

Mrs Morgan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the rules should apply to both teachers and pupils.