Overview
- Reform UK’s London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham advocated stop-and-search for women who cover their faces, saying hidden faces imply criminal intent.
- She also said parts of London feel like a "Muslim city" and called for one "British" civic culture.
- Muslim Women’s Network UK reported a sharp rise in abusive and threatening messages, prompting removal of office signage and staff photographs.
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan denounced the remarks as divisive and defended freedom of religion, while Labour MP Afzal Khan called the approach a cynical ploy that can fuel hate crimes.
- A Reform UK spokesman defended stop-and-search as essential to policing, and the party has previously said a burqa ban is not official policy.