[DanaC]

Oh absolutely. There are circumstances in which wearing a face covering of any kind is simply not acceptable. Likewise, I think banning the veil in school classrooms is appropriate. But not in colleges or universities.

There isa potential for the veil to create an additional barrier to learning. Children are in compulsory education and are too young to make a decision about the value of their education. College and university students are adults who have made a choice and paid fees (or accessed learning funds) for that learning. If they choose to add a potential barrier to getting the most from that experience that's their choice.

These things are already in place. The ruling on this woman is now set as precedent. In future trials, a muslim woman who wishes to remain veiled will be able to do so until she gives evidence, at which point she must remove the veil.

It is entirely possible, as this and the recent furore over the college ban, to find a case by case solution, as different circumstances are tested.

The massive press coverage and general hysteria following in its wake are a product of our cultural fears and suspicions. We are very, very quick to leap to suspicion and recrimination the second the case concerns Islam.