Watch this space

The criticism of Boris Johnson by his political enemies, both within and without the Tory Party, regarding the wearing of the burka and the hijab is wrong on a number of levels.

Firstly, they jump on the very comfortable bandwagon of so-called “Islamophobia”, insisting that he is stoking the fires of anti-islamic feeling although, as has correctly been pointed out in these columns already, there is no requirement, or even a mention in the Holy Koran of a woman having to cover her face. These garments are not Islamic.

Also, Mr. Johnson is absolutely correct when he states that the sight of someone covered in black from head to toe and wearing a mask is intimidating and represents a threat to security, in that it is difficult to tell if they are or female and the baggy nature of the garment is the perfect cover for a weapon or an explosive device; after all, what police officer is going to stop and search a figure in a burka? He would be filling in forms from now until Christmas, although terrorists have used this ploy before.

Boris Johnson is necessary in British politics in that he creates a balance by saying the things that many people believe but none dare say through fear of incurring the wrath of the supreme deity, Political Correctness. In this respect he is like US President Trump, and I suspect that this persecution is only serving to gather more support for any political ambitions he may have. As the saying goes, “If America sneezes today, Britain catches the cold tomorrow”, so maybe we should watch this space.

WALTER J ALLAN

Colinton Mains Drive, Edinburgh