The mayoral candidate for Reform UK in London has provoked fierce criticism and accusations of endangering Muslim communities after calling for women wearing the burqa to be subject to police stop and search.
Divisive Comments from a Controversial Candidate
Laila Cunningham, who was unveiled last week as the right-wing party's candidate for the 2028 London mayoral contest, made the inflammatory remarks on the Standard podcast. She argued that no one should cover their face "in an open society", asserting that "it has to be assumed that if you're hiding your face, you're hiding it for a criminal reason."
Cunningham, a former Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor, also stated that in parts of London, "it does feel like a Muslim city", citing foreign language signs and burqas sold in markets. She advocated for "one civic culture" which "should be British".
Ironically, Cunningham herself is a British-born Muslim of Egyptian descent and has reportedly been targeted with Islamophobic abuse since her candidacy was announced.
Warnings of Real-World Consequences and Division
The response from community leaders and political figures was swift and damning. Labour peer Shaista Gohir, chair of the Muslim Women's Network UK, labelled Cunningham's statements "dangerous" and a "dog whistle" to racists. She warned they would further alienate Muslim women, including the small minority who wear a burqa.
Gohir revealed her charity has faced a sharp increase in abusive mail, forcing them to remove external signage and staff profile pictures. "We've had letters sent about grooming gangs saying all Muslims are scum, Muslims are filth," she said. "It is hateful stuff, so obviously people are fearful."
She accused Cunningham of "sending a message to Muslims that they do not belong" and emboldening existing bigots. Gohir questioned why the candidate focused on burqas instead of pressing issues like the NHS, schools, or the cost of living.
Political Leaders Condemn the Rhetoric
London's current Mayor, Sadiq Khan, responded on LBC, stating that figures "trying to sow seeds of division" was nothing new. He emphasised that a mayor's duty is to unite people. "Almost without argument, our city is the greatest city in the world because of our diversity," Khan said, defending freedom of religion and expression as "quintessentially British rights".
Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme, Afzal Khan, called the comments a "deliberate and cynical ploy" designed to pump divisive ideas into society for electoral gain. He pointed to research showing that Boris Johnson's past comments comparing veiled women to letterboxes led to a surge in anti-Muslim attacks.
"There are consequences for the word that politicians use," Khan stated. "What anyone wears is no business of the state or the politicians. Individuals have the freedom to choose."
The issue exposes internal tensions for Reform UK. Last July, party figure Zia Yusuf described a call from Reform MP Sarah Pochin for a burqa ban as "dumb", noting it was not official policy. Yusuf later reposted Cunningham's controversial interview on social media platform X.
