Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has demanded a complete prohibition on full-face coverings in public spaces “once and for all”. The party leader described face coverings as a “menace” and stated his ban would encompass religious garments as well.
His comments follow Saturday’s events when groups of masked individuals dressed in black obstructed road entry to the Port of Dover, prompting widespread condemnation from politicians across the political spectrum. Subsequently, overnight on Sunday, official vehicles sustained damage while several police officers suffered injuries amid a confrontation with masked demonstrators in Portsmouth.
Farage’s column and protest reaction
In his Telegraph column, Mr Farage alluded to the Dover protesters, stating: “Now, I'm all for the protest. Plenty to protest about. But seriously, this is not the way to go about it.” He added: “Because let's be clear, face coverings are a menace. Whether it is a heavy-duty balaclava worn by a gang member or the dark mask of 'Antifa' extremists, their purpose is to bully and intimidate.”
He argued that encountering masked individuals on Britain's streets shouldn't be normalised as “part of modern Britain”. Adding: “Which is why Reform UK is calling for a ban on all full-face coverings in public spaces. No ifs, no buts. And yes, that includes religious ones too.” He continued: “This is not a matter of targeting one group. It's about saying that in a civilised society, people should be identifiable in public.”
Political exchanges and police response
Earlier on Monday, Patriot Platform founder Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo – an associate of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson – challenged Reform UK's Zia Yusuf, telling him Mr Farage needs to be “careful with his words”. Disrupting an interview being given by the home affairs spokesman, Mr Thomas alleged that Mr Farage had branded demonstrators at the Unite the Kingdom rally in London earlier in the year as “knuckle-draggers”.
Mr Thomas was a leader of the Portsmouth protest on Sunday. Policing minister Sarah Jones has attributed “the frustration we see in our communities today” to the Conservative Party. Addressing the Commons on Monday afternoon, she described Patriot Platform, which purports to have orchestrated the Dover protest, as “far-right racist”. She further stated to MPs: “Let us never forget that the frustration we see in our communities today is a product of chaos and crisis in the years that preceded the general election of 2024. Since then, this Government has taken action to fix the broken system we inherited and bear down on the people smugglers.”
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp responded sharply, declaring: “If they're serious about fixing this and ending public anger, they need to get serious about the measures – leave the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights) and deport illegal immigrants as soon as they arrive. Then people won't be so angry.” Former Conservative home secretary Suella Braverman insisted that people in her Hampshire constituency “are terrified, they are furious and they are desperate – they are not far-right racists”.
Migrant landings and investigation
Around 120 migrants landed by boat close to the Isle of Wight during Sunday's early afternoon, Ms Jones informed the Commons. Over 200 demonstrators subsequently tried to block three coaches that were meant to transport the new arrivals for processing, she explained. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has launched an inquiry into possible assaults and criminal damage, though Ms Jones confirmed no arrests have yet been made. Kent Police assistant chief constable Nigel Brookes stated the sole criminal offence being investigated was damage to a road.
