Browne Lobs Conference Grenades
Updated: 3:34pm UK, Monday 16 September 2013
By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent
Jeremy Browne, the Lib Dem Home Office Minister, was accused by one commentator of lobbing headline-grabbing "grenades" at the party conference.
His first hit was on Saturday after he compared immigration of Romanians into the UK with British retirees with villas in Spain or France.
This time he chose an even more controversial subject - whether Muslim girls should be banned from wearing the veil.
This is a contentious issue that pitches those who think freedom of expression should never be restricted against others who claim women subject to peer pressure are unable to make a free choice.
Mr Browne said he believed there should be a national debate about the issue, particularly regarding those under 18.
Society deemed children too young to make decisions over issues such as marriage, he said.
So how could it be sure that girls are making an informed choice about making the veil, he asked, and not being forced into the situation?
Nick Clegg was quick to response in a robust way, declaring it un-British to issue any central edict banning people from expressing their religion.
It is the obvious liberal position.
But it is interesting that the Deputy Prime Minister spoke of two possible exceptions.
He said that women should have to reveal their faces when passing through airport security, and he claimed there was an issue for teachers in the classroom.
Mr Clegg questioned whether covering a child's face might interfere with her education and that is an argument that is gaining traction.
The Prime Minister has already said he would support a ban on veils at a school attended by one of his children.
Others on his back benches want to go further.
Tory MP Dr Sarah Wollaston warns of "serious consequences" if women's faces are hidden from view in courts.
Facial expression is a key part of communication, she has claimed.
Coming after a college was forced to overturn a ban on the veil when it triggered widespread protests, all the politicians know that their views are controversial - not least Mr Browne.
He has called for a debate despite saying that his own instinct was against any legislation.
Did he simply want to make a story? And if so, what grenade might he lob next?
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