Dame Andrea Jenkyns backs calls for burka ban as she highlights 'safety concern' - 'We need to have the debate!'

Declaring it has "nothing to do" with him, Yusuf posted on social media: "I do think it's dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn't do."

Discussing the question on GB News, the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire echoed the stance of party leader Nigel Farage and claimed we have "got to have these conversations".

Jenkyns told the People's Channel: "We've got to have these conversations, and it's right we have these conversations. It's banned in other countries.

"I think it was just like my tent comment, actually, it's about getting it out there, getting people talking about it, and let's have the debate."

Hitting out at Starmer's dismissal of Pochin's question, Jenkyns fumed: "Just look at how Starmer handled Sarah's question.

"He immediately shut it down, which is actually affecting freedom of speech, and it is right to have these conversations."

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Highlighting Yusuf's remarks about Pochin, host Emily Carver told Jenkyns that "even the chairman" of Reform "seems to have no idea what the policy is or should be".

Jenkyns responded: "We're not saying it's the policy, we're saying we need to have the conversation and the conversation with the public.

"What do the public want? That'll help formulate the policy, won't it?"

Grilling Jenkyns on Reform "falling into the same trap as the Conservatives", the Reform Mayor stood firm on her defence of the party, adding: "As I said when I defected, I joined the party of the brave. We are having these conversations that the ones that people think about but don't often say.

"So no, we've got to have these debates and then you help formulate policy. It's like myself as mayor, I've said I'm quite interested in potentially looking at having a new town in Lincolnshire, but let's have this debate. Let's discuss whether that's what people want. What is wrong with that approach on some policy areas?"

Asked directly if she would welcome a burka ban, Jenkyns concluded: "I'd like to see banning of face coverings full stop, to be honest.

"We know that if you wear a crash helmet, you're not allowed to go into a bank without removing it. And it is intimidating to some people when you can't see someone's face when you speak into them, so we've got to genuinely have this conversation.

"To me, it's about the safety aspect. We don't know who is wearing, this. But again, it's not just about what I think, it's about having this debate."