A BURKINI BRAWL

The city of Grenoble has authorised the wearing of the so-called “burkini” by Muslim women in state-run swimming pools, reigniting one of France’s most contentious debates on religious dress.

The all-in-one swimsuit, used by some Muslim women to cover their bodies and hair while bathing, has been seen as a symbol of creeping Islamism by its critics.

It is prohibited in most state-run pools, for hygienic rather than religious reasons. “All we want is for women and men to be able to dress how they want,” said Greenoble mayor Eric Piolle, who rallied enough council votes to approve the measure.