The UK Independence Party is to call for a ban on wearing of the burka and the niqab, claiming they affront British values.

It would be the first national party to call for a total ban on the Islamic headgear though far-right British National Party cites that they should be banned from schools.

In the European elections last June, Ukip secured the second-largest share of the vote, more than 16 per cent.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch, the leader of UKIP, said yesterday, “We are taking expert advice on how we could do it. It makes sense to ban the burka — or anything which conceals a woman’s face — in public buildings. But we want to make it possible to ban them in private buildings. It isn’t right that you can’t see someone’s face in an airport”.

The party is in a process to refer an expert advice on the issue of the influence of Sharia law in Britain.

Ukip will make an official announcement on Sunday citing burka as a custom that hampers gender equality and claiming that it marginalizes women and endangers public safety because terrorists could use them to hide their identity.

In the European elections last June, Ukip secured the second-largest share of the vote, more than 16 per cent.

In France, President Sarkozy is trying to ban the wearing of full veils on state premises such as university campuses and hospitals, and on public transport as most French parties and even public is against women wearing full veils.