French women could be banned from wearing the full Islamic veil in public under legislation to be proposed by Nicolas Sarkozy’s ruling party next month.

Jean-Francois Copé, parliamentary leader of the rightwing majority UMP, said a law banning face-covering in public places would be submitted to parliament early next year.

Citing concerns over women’s freedom and “public order”, he said a total ban was justified by growing fears over equality in France, home to Europe’s largest Muslim population.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/22/france-plans-burka-ban