A man has been arrested for donning a balaclava in protest against the veil. James Scott, from Ipswich, was out in town collecting signatures in support of Jack Straw’s comments. He had already acquired 200 such signatures when police caught up with him. He was arrested on suspicion of causing a breach of the peace and taken in for questioning. About what, I wonder? The whole ordeal lasted three hours. What could they have had to ask him that took all that time?
Anyway, Mr Scott has been warned that he faces re-arrest if he puts the mask on again. Ridiculous. Is there now a law prescribing what one may not wear in a public place, and if so, why does it extend to the balaclava and not the veil? Is this the criminal law equivalent of what will soon be known as the ‘British Airways exemption’?
Advice for Mr Scott: next time you feel inclined to make any public protests, put on the niqab.
October 18th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
This post has been removed by the author.
October 18th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
Test. Comments working again.
October 19th, 2006 at 12:58 am
What is wrong today? It takes ages for the pages to open, etc.
Anyway, interesting post. But didn’t you know the balaclava has malicious intent written all over it?
October 19th, 2006 at 1:05 am
and the veil does not?
October 19th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
I think it was quite inventive of the man, he certainly made his point, but trust the police to get heavy handed.