Let us remember that full veils, albeit of relatively diaphanous gauze, were worn by many British women as recently as the early part of last century and that partial veils still occasionally feature in modern women's hats. This has never been regarded as a problem as far as I know.

I would always be concerned that there is a oppressive aspect to any culture that requires women to conceal themselves to avoid inflaming men's passions. As far as I am concerned, that is a male problem that should not be projected onto women. And since it takes two to tango, why don't the concerned men wear veils to avoid inflaming women's passions?

However, once a woman has decided to wear a veil, for whatever reason, I would hope that people would respect her decision and not rush to judgement. Yes, facial expression is an aid to communication and as a person with a hearing impairment, I also find lip-reading an unobstructed mouth helpful. But do others have a right to insist on seeing someone's face?

I thought women had just about won the cultural battle in the UK over having to expose their legs in public in compliance with school uniform or workplace dress codes. Now the battleground seems to have migrated to the face. As a feminist man, I feel disposed to defend a woman's right not to expose any more of her body to other people's gaze than she wants to.