The French legal position is strict, but I don't think there is anything particularly new in this case.

In Britain there is now a debate about the causes of tension between indigenous and Islamic populations, with the veil cited as a major cause of tension (and probably THE major cause).

Issues around wearing a veil are lively. Holding a conversation with a woman wearing a veil is a horrible experience as you get no facial expression whatsoever. In a telephone conversation both sides are equally disadvantaged, but a veil disadvantages only one party. Whatever the law might recommend the reality is that veil-wearing women are at a serious disadvantage in the workplace. The veil is problematic in many spheres of life - where identity has to be checked against a photograph (eg getting on a bus for bus pass holders), using a bank (you are not supposed to walk in with face covered).

I understand that the veil is NOT a religious requirement of Islam. My view is that in the interests of everyone, particularly the veil-wearing women, we should work towards a time when no-one wants to wear it or is pressured or forced to wear it. France's position is severe and I can see problems with it, but the general direction is one that we must all want. Veils are an abomination.