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Poll finds majority of Britons support banning burka

Only 25% of British voters would oppose a burqa ban if the controversial crackdown on the Islamic dress was proposed in the United Kingdom, according to YouGov.

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Some 57% of people said they would support outlawing the wearing of the burka, while 25% said they would oppose such a ban.

People belonging to the age group 18-24 was the only group to oppose a ban – all others were in favour, with the oldest 65 and above group backing the prohibition by a startling 78 per cent to 12.

The findings come as a controversial ban on the burkini in France has stirred debate on the subject of Muslim clothing.

The research also revealed support for a ban is most popular among the elderly.

A majority of Britons support a burqa ban.

Meanwhile, the wearing of full-face veils has been front and centre in the Ukip leadership race after one of the candidates, Lisa Duffy, called for them to be banned in public places.

Even among supporters of the left wing Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, support for a ban is stronger than opposition, with 48 per cent of Labour voters wanting a ban, compared to 37 against, and 42 per cent of Lib Dems in favour, as opposed to 30 per cent against.

The British government said last week it would not introduce its own ban on the swimsuit, saying it “sees no need” to dictate how people dress.

A total of 46% of British people would support a similar ban on the burkini, against 30% who were opposed, with 18% neither for or against.

A number of European countries have legislated to restrict symbols associated with the Islamic faith.

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In 2009 the Swiss public voted in a referendum to ban the construction of Islamic mosques with minarets, while France has banned full face coverings since 2010.

A woman wears a burqa as she walks on a street in Saint-Denis near Paris