Ukip plans to ban burkas because they block sunlight

THE UK Independence party has pledged to introduce a ban on the burka in public places on the grounds that they “prevent intake of essential vitamin D from sunlight”.

Ukip is also pushing for a public ban on the niqab, claiming the veils are “dehumanising symbols of segregation and oppression” which pose security risks.

Paul Nuttall, the party’s leader, has previously denied the policy is an attack on Muslims and argued that there is “no human right to conceal your identity”.

Their manifesto, launched yesterday, states: “Clothing that hides identity, puts up barriers to communication, limits employment opportunities, hides evidence of domestic abuse, and prevents intake of essential vitamin D from sunlight is not liberating.”

It came as one of the party’s most senior figures suggested Theresa May “must bear some responsibility” for the Manchester terror attack. Suzanne Evans, the party’s deputy chairman, made the comment before appearing to backtrack just moments later.

Ukip put the response to the suicide bombing at the centre of its pitch to voters as it promised measures to cut down on immigration and tighten security.

The party restarted its national election campaign a day earlier than the other parties, and before the nation had had a chance to pay its respects by observing a one minute silence, prompting accusations that it was seeking to exploit the attack.