Muslim woman in UK allowed to wear veil at trial, judge rules

A Muslim woman will be allowed to stand trial in the UK, while wearing a full-face veil.

But a judge has ruled she must remove it while giving evidence.

He says it is crucial for the jury to see her "for the purposes of evaluating her evidence".

But Judge Peter Murphy, sitting at London’s Blackfriars Crown Court, said: “In general, the defendant is free to wear the niqab during trial.

“If the defendant gives evidence she must remove the niqab throughout her evidence.

“The court may use its inherent powers to do what it can to alleviate any discomfort, for example by allowing the use of screens or allowing her to give evidence by live link.”

Lawyers for the 22-year-old from London, who can't be named for legal reasons, had argued it would breach her human rights.

She pleaded not guilty to a charge of intimidation last week.