Accused must remove veil
A Muslim woman will be allowed to stand trial wearing a full-face veil but must remove it while giving evidence, Judge Peter Murphy has ruled at Blackfriars Crown Court in London.
Judge: 'Crucial' to remove veil when giving evidence
A judge ruled that it was "crucial" for a Muslim woman to remove her veil when giving evidence in court.
Judge Peter Murphy was giving his final judgement at Blackfriars Crown Court on whether a 22-year-old woman from London, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, could hide her face with a niqab veil when giving evidence.
He said: "The ability of the jury to see the defendant for the purposes of evaluating her evidence is crucial."
The judge said he "expresses the hope that Parliament or a higher court will provide a definite answer" to the issue soon, adding: "The niqab has become the elephant in the court room."
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