NIGEL Farage’s calls for a ban on face covering risks “emboldening fascists and racists who target Muslim women,” warned Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) today.

Anti-racists hit out after the Reform UK leader called for a ban on face covering “once and for all” following a weekend of blackshirt rabbles gathering in both the Port of Dover and Portsmouth to block roads and echo his own anti-immigration sentiments.

Clashes with police led to condemnation from elected politicians across the spectrum, with Policing Minister Sarah Jones branding organisers Patriot Platform as “far-right racists.”

She told MPs: “Let us never forget that the frustration we see in our communities today is a product of chaos and crisis in the years that preceded the general election of 2024.”

Speaking in the Telegraph newspaper, however, the Reform UK leader took the opportunity to shift the news agenda away form his financial scandals.

“I’m all for the protest. Plenty to protest about. But seriously, this is not the way to go about it,” he said.

“Because let’s be clear, face coverings are a menace. Whether it is a heavy-duty balaclava worn by a gang member or the dark mask of ‘Antifa’ extremists, their purpose is to bully and intimidate.”

Arguing that face coverings were unacceptable as “part of modern Britain,” he reached for his dog-whistle.

“Reform UK is calling for a ban on all full-face coverings in public spaces.”

“No ifs, no buts. And yes, that includes religious ones too.”

“This is not a matter of targeting one group.”

“It’s about saying that in a civilised society, people should be identifiable in public.”

SUTR co-convener Sabby Dhalu however hit back at the MP for Clacton.

“This is yet another attempt to distract from the donation scandal,” she said.

“Not content with targeting refugees and emboldening fascists in Dover and Portsmouth, Farage is now turning his attention to Muslim women.

“We have seen where such interventions by politicians can lead: to violent racist, Islamophobic and misogynistic attacks on Muslim women.

“Farage’s rhetoric risks emboldening fascists and racists who target Muslim women simply for who they are and what they wear.

“It is vital that we unite against racism, Islamophobia, misogyny and attacks on women, and stand together against the resurgent far right.”