A right to an opinion

RUTH DAVIDSON, another leadership contender of the Conservative Party, made a crass analogy by comparing the wearing of the Christian cross with the burka.

The cross is not only central to all aspects of the Christian religion, but the integral reason for their faith, belief and hope.

However, Christians are not required to wear a cross, it is not worn only by women, and non-Christians wear it as a fashion accessory. It is not only gender neutral, but for everyone. None of this applies to the burka.

If Boris Johnson is penalised for causing offence, the same argument applies to Ruth Davidson — both were expressing their own opinions.

LINDA BANAHAN, Chester, Cheshire. I HAVE worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The British nurses I worked with were told to respect the local dress code and in public wore a black abaya or cloak loosely covering their hair and limbs, but not their faces.

Indeed, many felt more comfortable to do this as they were far less likely to be jostled by local women than when they were in western dress.

Might not Muslim women in this country take the same approach?

Flying back and forth to Saudi Arabia, I noted how many women changed their garb on board the aircraft to suit their destination.

J. R. BROWN, Knutsford, Cheshire. FORMER ministers Dominic Grieve and Anna Soubry have threatened to quit if Boris becomes Tory leader. Another good reason to elect him!

D. LAWRENCE, Chorley, Lancs.