A WORCESTER-BASED MEP has plunged UKIP into chaos after quitting as foreign affairs spokesman in protest over the 'veil ban'.

James Carver, who represents the entire West Midlands, has slammed the party's manifesto policy as "misguided" and divisive.

The politician said banning Muslim women from wearing full-face veils would make it harder for him to represent the region, insisting: "No one has the right to dictate what people should wear".

The fall-out has made headlines across the country, with Mr Carver being praised by other parties and ethnic minority groups.

The chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation Mohammed Shafiq has been among those to praise his decision.

It now leaves huge question marks over Mr Carver's career with UKIP, with the city politician widely seen as one of the party's rising stars in recent years.

He was widely expected to contest a Worcestershire parliamentary seat in the June 8 General Election, but that is also up in the air.

He lives in Worcester and his office is based in Kidderminster, and is believed to have been offered his pick of county parliamentary seats to contest in June only several days ago.

Announcing his sudden resignation as the party's Foreign and Commonwealth affairs spokesman, he said: "I would be one of the first to condemn a ban on wearing a crucifix as an infringement of liberty.

"No-one has the right to dictate what people should wear.

“When facial identification is necessary such as at passport controls, or in a bank, then it's perfectly reasonable to order the removal of veils, as is the practice.

"But in a free and liberal society, people have a right to their religious beliefs and to dress as they see fit.

Evesham Journal:

"It is therefore with deep regret that I've decided to resign as UKIP Foreign and Commonwealth affairs spokesman.

"I feel this policy undermines my desire to represent all communities within the West Midlands, including the many British Muslims who, I know from first-hand experience, voted to leave the EU in last year's referendum."

He added that he saw the policy as being "incompatible" with the aim of Britain having "a truly global perspective" outside the EU.

UKIP leader Paul Nuttall has launched a so-called 'integration strategy' for the General Election, with banning the full-face veil top of the list.

It also includes a ban on Sharia law, and forcing girls at risk of female genital mutilation to face regular medical checks at school.

But the strategy has also been panned by UKIP donor Arron Banks, with Mr Carver's resignation from its leadership team sparking chaos.

A UKIP press conference ended in farce earlier this week when Mr Nuttall locked himself in a side room to avoid questions about whether he was standing to become an MP.

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