JK Rowling condemns Nicolas Sarkozy over burkini ban 'provocation' comments

'Whether women cover or uncover their bodies, seems we're always 'asking for it'', author tweeted

JK Rowling has responded to a controversial suggestion from Nicolas Sarkozy that wearing the burkini is a “provocation” by highlighting the hypocritical standards facing women and their bodies.

The decision by some French towns to ban women wearing full-body swimsuits on beaches has been shrouded in controversy in recent days after a picture of a woman appearing to remove her clothing while armed police stood over her on a Nice beach went viral.

On Wednesday, the former French president labelled the burkini a “provocation”.

“Wearing the burkini is a political act, it is militant, a provocation,” he said.

Rowling replied:

The row over the burkini has intensified in recent days ahead of a court ruling in the country which will decide on whether the ban in 26 towns is legal after human rights groups claimed it breaches French law.

On Wednesday, LBC host James O’Brien called out the hypocrisy of the ban by challenging those who support to it to explain how they would feel if nuns were made to take off their habits.