Boris Johnson's Latest 'Gaff'

It is just rude and spiteful for Boris to make these comments. Why can't people just be respectful about other people's religions these day? Imagine the outcry if a Muslim politician made similar comments about Christian Nuns.

As a professional journalist Boris knows exactly what he is doing when he makes these comments. Boris is now involved with Trump's former aid, Steve Bannon so I expect we are going to see an increase in an increase in anti-Muslim remarks to stir up racial division.

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Boris was mischief making it's as simple as that! In truth probably best ignored but of course that's not possible the media would never allow it!!
Having an adult meaningful, spirited conversation is fine, name calling is childish and spiteful. In Boris's case - hidden agenda is alive and well.

I have to agree with Bridgeits post above on this matter. Just returning from three days in London it would seem that the Niqab and Burka headdress are becoming more prevalent in our society especially in the capital. The wearing of this covering always leaves me feeling somewhat unsettled as I feel those wearing these clothes can see all my facial expressions and features while I am not allowed to see any of theirs.

Britain is thankfully a very open society with facial expression being at the very centre of personal openness. Therefore I find the covering of any persons face offensive as they are in many ways seeing the thoughts of others in their facial expressions while at the same time others cannot read any thoughts in theirs

The wearing of these headdresses in our society undoubtedly needs discussion I believe. However, name calling and personal derogatory remarks achieve nothing in what should be a forthright but respectful discussion. It should also be remembered that women wearing such dress may not always be doing so entirely of their own volition. It may well be that they come from households that encompass certain strict Islamic belief. Therefore, in what is a very male-dominated religion, the pressure to wear such dress could be "very dominant" I feel.

Therefore, I believe that Boris Johnson was very wrong in the way he addressed this matter, but right in that this subject should be raised and addressed.

When I was in Saudi I had to dress 'appropriately' - not veiled but calf or long length dresses/skirts and my arms covered. I didn't have to wear anything on my head. However I was not allowed to swim and I had to ride in the back seat of the car. This was some years ago I must admit but I doubt whether too much has changed though I believe that women can now drive. It came across as a male dominated society.
Whilst I think Boris' words are rather crass there is an element of 'when in Rome' that could be put into the mix!

A face which is covered implies hostility and secrecy. Wear the burqa by all means, (although a terrorist could carry a small arsenal under one), but leave the face uncovered. Johnson's remark was rather tactless but nevertheless true.

I haven’t seen a Muslim lady. Eating a burger , I haven’t seen a Muslim lady vomiting on the street after a night on the drink or lying on the pavement with knickers in full view.

I remember the daft sight of a group of Muslim ladies sitting outside a McDonald's trying to stuff Big Macs and fries up under their face veils. Major culture clash!?

Oh, Jane that sounds so spiteful!

What's daft about a group of women eating burgers whilst wearing a veil - I bet they were doing no harm to you and sitting quietly minding their own business.

What culture does one have to be for it not to clash with eating a MacDonalds?

I'm amazed at some of the posts on here which seem to suggest that these remarks 'pillar box, bank robber' are just off the cuff throw away comments! Personal comments add absolutely nothing to serious debate, so why make them except in order to create a furore and be offensive? This was no gaffe from a senior experienced politician! It was a calculated comment said for the maximum effect. Boris is a total disgrace and a snake in the grass. He should be kicked out of the party before he brings it down, which of course he hopes to do and then present himself as its saviour! Awful man!

I thought it rude and spiteful.

Blimey, nellie, I'm agreeing with you, too

Humans like animals read & interpret each other’s facial expressions & body language. If we don’t have enough visual clues,it makes interpretation more difficult & makes us unconsciously wary. Also black is seen as oppressive. A belly dancer wearing head ware and pretty mouth veil is not seen as oppressive whereas The Black hijab to the western world seems to be oppressive. I guess we just have to adjust our interpretations. The same can be said about the opposite end of the spectrum where we see very scantily dressed humans, it can make us feel uncomfortable, but on the up side at least we can see they aren’t hiding anything, even if we are wishing they would?

I remember the daft sight of a group of Muslim ladies sitting outside a McDonald's trying to stuff Big Macs and fries up under their face veils. Major culture clash!?

There seem to be 2 threads where this is being discussed. Does Boris deserve two threads? I don't think so. But Im sure he would love it- As Wilde said There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

I’ve never voted Conservative and probably never will. It’s not a lot to do with politics. I think Boris has a good point, but his choice of words was clumsy.

He has a right to give his views on the covering of the face, how he described the women was so wrong, rude, insulting.

I applaude May for saying he should apologise, Labour supporters need to remember all Corbyn said was ‘not in my name ‘ and refused to be questioned .

Not May praising or Corbyn bashing, just being fair

I totally agree with Lyndiloo. It's ridiculous.

In my job I have the opportunity to approach members of the public and am happy to try to engage with everyone. It is quite a revelation to chat with ladies wearing the niqab or burka to find most have a strong local accent.
My understanding is that covering the face is a cultural rather than religious convention. i.e. it is not a requirement of the Muslim religion.

Sorry. Espee you're right of course.

I thought it rude and spiteful. It's absolutely fine to have a serious conversation about burka's but to make idiotic personal comments about ladies who adopt this form of dress is unnecessary, inflammatory and downright nasty as is all types of name calling. Boris knew perfectly well that what he said would cause a furore, embarrass the government, and stir up a proverbial hornets nest. How could be so hateful both to these ladies and to the party he professes to support?! This is for me a step too far, and if he was ever by some quirk became leader of the Conservative party, (God forbid!) I for one would never ever vote for him.

Blinko, I think you meant Hijab.
The niqab and the burka expose only the eyes.

AnnieB and MaizieD I take the point, but I don't think there's a problem with any other aspect of clothing; the niqab, for instance doesn't raise comment. It's the face covering aspect that people find somehow intimidating and/or inexplicable. Not logical maybe, but there you go.

I agree, Annie

Grass roots tories agree with Boris? Grass roots labour do too. I don’t agree with the ‘they are living in the west so should adopt our dress, the British don’t wear sari’s in India.

Let be people be who they are

I do hope he becomes P.M "It'll be a "LAUGH""

Boris said what many of us already think. They do look ( to me) like scary black pillar boxes .