It’s a brave soul in this easily-offended world that dares step on some toes, but this is exactly what the French appear to be deliberately doing:

“If it were determined that wearing the burka is a submissive act, and that it is contrary to republican principles, naturally parliament would have to drawn the necessary conclusions,” he said. When asked whether that could mean bringing in legislation to ensure an outright ban, Chatel answered: “Why not?”

Of course, the non-sequitur outrage has already begun. Not from a woman though, funnily enough:

“To raise the subject like this, via a parliamentary committee, is a way of stigmatising Islam and the Muslims of France,” said Mohammed Moussaouni, head of the French Council for the Muslim Faith. He said the full veil remained a marginal choice for most Muslim women, and such a provocative move threatened to alienate those more moderate in their practices.

Oh, poor Islam getting stigmatised. Isn’t rendering someone unidentifiable a security issue? Maybe these garments should be at least barcoded or something. Or the people chipped with RFID so the police can tell who is who.

And Kudos to the National Secular Society for throwing a bunch of bigots out of the Conway Hall.

You know what I hate most? Intolerant people. Can’t stand ‘em.