Johnson could not care less about the Burka. The issue is not about clothing, it is about his carefully chosen use of language to dehumanise people as 'letter boxes' and 'bank robbers'. The choice to wear the garment is the womans and hers alone. It is fine to disagree but never OK to vilify them for it.

It is quite significant that he just returned from a meeting with Steve Bannon, the man who planned Trumps campaign of populist racism and lies. If he succeeds in his bid to lead the country I shall consider emigrating as well, Eliza. Hopefully not enough people have been fooled by him but given the threats and hate mail that Lord Sheikh, president of the Conservative Muslim Forum, has received since asking for Johnson to apologise, I have serious reservations.