Boris Johnson burka row in pictures: Campaigners chant 'Boris out' in angry protest
A VOCAL demonstration has been staged outside Boris Johnson's Uxbridge constituency office, following his controversial comments about burqas.
Conservative MP makes cheeky jibe at Boris Johnson
Stand Up To Racism and MEND (Muslim Engagement & Development) members took to the streets following the former Foreign Secretary's controversial comments about burqas.
Mr Johnson said in his latest Telegraph column it was “absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes".
And he said school teachers or university lecturers would be within their rights to refuse to talk to students who arrived at class "looking like a bank robber".
Placards’ slogans at the protest ranged from “Boris Out” to My Dress My Choice”.
Anti-hate crime groups said the comments by Johnson, who resigned last month, would encourage Islamophobic and sexist abuse at a time when attacks were already on the rise.
"This inflammatory language will in fact motivate and fuel hate crimes, particularly towards visibly Muslim women who wear the veil or the hijab," said the anti-extremism JAN Trust charity’s Sajda Mughal.
She said that her group, which works with marginalised women, had already taken three calls in the last two days from hijab-wearing women who reported being called "letter boxes".
A top Conservative known for flamboyant phrasing and eccentric stunts, Johnson is facing an internal Conservative investigation over his remarks, which have reignited a debate over religious facial coverings and split his party.
"The code of conduct process is strictly confidential," said a Conservative Party spokesman.
A former journalist who has often been accused of courting media attention, Johnson has repeatedly voiced leadership ambitions in the past.