Reform MS who used racial slur calls on Welsh minister to back ‘ban the burqa’ petition
Emily Price
A Reform Member of the Senedd who was suspended after using a racial slur has called on a Welsh minister to sign a petition urging the UK Government to “ban the burqa”.
Sir Fynwy Torfaen MS Laura Anne Jones called for statement on the Welsh Government’s stance on the issue from Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Heledd Fychan on Tuesday (October 6).
Jones, who is Reform’s deputy leader in the Senedd, said that although she knew the matter was not a devolved responsibility, she thought it would be “beneficial” if Welsh ministers made representations to the Labour government in Westminster.
She said: “In a free society, we show our faces. It’s how we recognise each other, it’s how we trust each other, it’s how we talk to each other.
“A nurse needs to see their patient, a teacher needs to see their parent at the school gate, and for public safety, it’s important. Reform’s position is clear.
“We would ban the burqa and every other full face covering in public.”
Jones added: “I know this matter falls outside the Senedd powers, but if the Welsh Government will be making representations to the UK Government on Wales’s behalf, it would be beneficial for this entire Senedd to understand your position on this.
“Also, feel free to sign our petition on this.”
Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage has said his party would enact a complete public ban on all full-face coverings, including both religious garments like burqas and items like balaclavas, if he wins power at the next general election.
Fychan told Jones there would be no statement on the issue because it is not devolved, but said the Welsh Government “condemns all racism”.
She said: “Any idea that someone doesn’t deserve the right to live their life in the way that they have the right to live that life.
“Racism is a great problem in society now, and that’s something that constituents tell us consistently.
“We all have a responsibility in this Chamber to ensure that we do support everyone that we represent, all members of society, and ensure that everyone feels safe, and that we all co-operate to ensure that racism doesn’t continue here in Wales.
“There is no room for racism in Wales.”
Jones, a former Welsh Conservative, was suspended from the Senedd for two weeks in November after the standards commissioner found she brought Wales’ parliament into disrepute by using a racial slur in a WhatsApp chat.
Messages first revealed by Nation.Cymru showed that she had referred to the Chinese owners of TikTok as “chinky spies” in a group chat with her team members.
Jones apologised for using the slur, arguing it “was a term used for a takeaway” during her childhood.
A UK Parliament petition titled “Prohibit the wearing of all full-face coverings in public spaces” collected over 71,000 signatures before closing in November.
The UK Government responded to the petition saying: “Under the Human Rights Act 1998 everyone has the legal right to freedom of religion, including the right to express their religion.
“This includes the right to wear religious attire except where limitations are prescribed by law for specific limited purposes.”
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Where does this leave blind people…!
To think we pay these stupid people…
The cheek of a racist deform politician to call for a burkha bam when all she nevers condemns the crimes committed by hate filled deform supporters in balaclavas.
Our beloved Nabi Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam taught us in his universal messages that we do not behave emotionally. We behave by educating others, teaching others, and being an upright example. If someone is driven by misunderstanding, bias, or prejudice, it simply shows that they are vulnerable and easily swayed by whoever has the loudest voice. We should not mimic that behaviour.
Still racist then.
Reform is a perfect fit.
If she acknowledged this topic is not a devolved issue, why is she wasting precious senedd time on bringing it up?
She needs to apologise for this.
Muslim women in the presence of a female nurse or healthcare staff will always remove their burkha if needed for id or for an exam.
I can’t find any instance where the child was picked up in the UK by the wrong mother wearing a full face covering.
How did we manage in covid with ppe especially in healthcare?
I don’t support Reform. However, on the question of hijabs, I have to ask why: what are they for? Is it for the benefit of the women? Or the men? Why don’t men wear hijabs?
Assuming the answer to these questions is that women are required to wear the hijabs and men are not; that it is an islamic religious requirement.
Then, is it not a sexist imposition on islamic women? As such, is it not against the equality laws? Why is it not banned in the UK?
Andy O’Sullivan
Or it’s none of our business.
Why wear clothes? Walk around naked then.
“I don’t support reform “.
Doesn’t make you any less of an anti muslim bigot if you only target the hijab.
What the heck is a hoodie then?
What the heck is a topi then? The one I wear everywhere.
I don’t target the hijab, I am not anti Moslem, nor a bigot. I support equality of the genders, which I submit the hijab doe’s not.
I also object to balaclavas, but for different reasons.
Hoodies do not cover the face. Topis are hats which also don’t cover the face.
If you think I am wrong, why not tell me why you think so, instead of being insulting?
I have a winter coat with a generous hood that will protect my head in a driving hailstorm. It covers my face. Nobody will tell me to remove that when it is there to protect me from the elements. Muslim women wear a Hijab, Niqab or Burqa for religious reasons and by choice, (it is not for others to judge enforcement), and do so without prejudice nor threat to others. We do, or we did, live in a society where freedom of religion is accepted, that was until racist hatred WAS ENFORCED upon us by those who will protect balaclava… Read more »
“Ban the burqa”, I think she means— “ban the berk,” i.e. herself. I’d happily sign the petition.
So would i.
But hate filled baguettes like her would only see it as a sign of the oppression against them, people of hate and use it to manipulate more hate.
That way they can distract the governments and all of us from the billionaires’ manipulation within the treasury, the bank of England and the hmrc.
I agree with your point about the billionaires. But, I would also include many of the hawaladers manipulating their money system to avoid legitimate tax laws and also fund criminal activity
No face coverings unless you’re intimidating a refugee or asylum seeker right? Cowards.
How did Wales ever stoop so low to allow people this deranged into politics?
I think a ban on racist scum would be more productive.
A Herd of Cows
A Flock of Birds
A Murder of Crows
A Vomit of Reform AM’s
A Gullibility of Reform Voters lol
Another day, another Reform racism.