'I hate the niqab and burqa': Tory shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy brands Muslim face coverings a 'ball and chain' harming all of society

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026 · last updated 7 October 2026.

Nick Timothy, Tory shadow justice secretary, declared he 'hates' the niqab and burqa at a Conservative conference fringe event in Birmingham on Tuesday, comparing the garments to a 'ball and chain' that deliberately cuts women off from society. Speaking alongside Michael Gove at a Spectator event, Timothy said the coverings damage social trust not only for the women who wear them but for wider communities too.

Timothy also argued that state-funded schools which require pupils to wear the hijab are in breach of equality law.

He admitted he does not know whether the Conservative Party will back a formal ban on Islamic face veils under Kemi Badenoch's leadership.

Timothy acknowledged the issue was 'very tricky' given that Britain is 'an open society' where people should be free to make their own choices.