An MP has said that there should be a “national debate” about whether Muslim girls should be allowed to wear the veil at school – in the interests of their “freedom of choice”.

Jeremy Browne said that the state should consider stepping in to protect young Muslim women from having the veil “imposed” on them.

If your eyes are currently rolling so far backwards in your head that it’s difficult to continue reading, we understand, but bear with us. Browne, a Liberal Democrat and one-time Home Office minister (who coincidentally also happens to be a white man), told the Telegraph that he thinks a veil ban is a subject worthy of discussion – despite the fact that he feels “instinctively” uncomfortable with the idea.

“I think this is a good topic for national debate,” said Browne.

“People of liberal instincts will have competing notions of how to protect and promote freedom of choice,” he continued, adding that he himself is “instinctively uneasy about restricting the freedom of individuals to observe the religion of their choice”.

MP suggests banning veil to give Muslim girls “freedom of choice”