Sarah Pochin's call to 'ban the Burqa' opposed by Chris Philp: 'People should have the freedom to wear what they want!'

Asking Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly, Pochin asked: "Given the Prime Minister's desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he, in the interests of public safety, follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others and ban the burqa?"

Starmer responded: "I'm not going to follow her down that line."

Delivering his verdict on whether Britain should ban the Burqa, Philp told GB News: "Fundamentally I do believe in freedom, and I believe that people should have the choice to to wear whatever they want. I wouldn't like to tell you what to wear.

"But I do also think it's important to make sure that women are not in any way coerced into doing something that they don't want to do. So I think it is very important to make sure that women are not being coerced and are able to make their own free choices."

Pressed by host Emily Carver on whether he would impose a state ban, Philp disagreed: "No I wouldn't, because look, I do believe in liberty and I believe in freedom, which are core British values and tolerance as well, which does include the freedom to choose what you want to wear.

"But of course, that tolerance is a two way street, and I expect communities to show tolerance. It works in both directions, doesn't it?"

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin demands Keir Starmer 'ban the Burqa' in first PMQs question
• Tories dealt DOUBLE blow as Kemi Badenoch's party rocked by big name rebellion amid polling turmoil
• Keir Starmer urged to 'bring back Rwanda scheme' after damning Home Office data released: 'No plan!'

Grilled by GB News host Tom Harwood on whether he feels "uncomfortable" by people wearing Burqa's, Philp dismissed the question, reiterating his argument that people in Britain should have a "choice" to "wear what they want".

Philp explained: "It's up to people to make their own choices, and if you believe in freedom, then that includes people having the freedom to make their own choices, whether you like those choices or not.

"That's what freedom means."

Outlining his "two main points" as to why he doesn't support a Burqa ban, Philp continued: "There are two points. The two corollaries of that are firstly, tolerance works both ways. And secondly, freedom also means not being coerced. Those are the very two very important corollaries."

Taking aim at Keir Starmer's performance in PMQs, Philp claimed that the Prime Minister was "flailing" and not answering questions put forward by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

Philp concluded: "I think Kemi had a very good PMQs today. Starmer was flailing around not answering the question.

"She asked him 'is he going to put taxes up anymore?', and he started ranting about Russia or something.

"He was really on the ropes there, and I think we did a great job telling him."