Liberal Democrats say attack on wearing of the veil is worst way to start a debate

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Oct 2006

Commenting on Aishah Azmi's employment tribunal case the Liberal Democrats have said attacking wearing of the veil is worst way to start a debate. There are legitimate debates to be had about the integration of different communities in Britain.

It is right for concern to be expressed where communities are felt to be living in separate or parallel worlds. But doing so by way of an attack on the wearing of veils is about the worst possible manner to launch such a debate. As one Minister after another joins the fray, the risk of appearing to demonise a whole community grows. We strongly restate the basic liberal principle that people should be allowed to wear what they wish, unmolested by the Government, as long as it does not prevent a person carrying out their public duties and responsibilities.