Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Fajila Patel bids to become first niqab-wearing Tory councillor

Fajila Patel bids to become first niqab-wearing Tory councillor

A niqab-wearing mother-of-four will contest Blackburn's Bastwell and Daisyfield ward in May’s local council elections as a Tory candidate, according to reports. 

Fajila Patel, 36, says she wants to 'inspire' more women to get into politics - including those who adopt the full veil, reported MailOnline.


She is backed by her husband, Tiger Patel, who himself won a surprise victory in the Labour stronghold after a series of viral social media videos.

If elected she would be the first Conservative politician to wear a full veil, and possibly the first British politician to do so.

According to reports, nearly 84 per cent of people in the ward are of Muslim faith. The council has a two-thirds Labour majority with 35 members to the Conservatives' 14.

Julian Arnold, the local party chairman, hailed her selection as a “breakthrough” and admitted that, since he took over the association in 2018, he had had to remove members because of Islamophobia.

Tiger Patel Tiger Patel (Photo: Twitter)

In May 2021, an independent report found that anti-Muslim sentiment “remains a problem” among members of the Conservative Party.

Patel told The Telegraph that she had “no concerns” about Islamophobia.

"I want to challenge the “great misconception” about women who wear full veils and drive a change in attitude towards them. The main reason is: I want to break down barriers. I wanted to help inspire other women to come forward and be confident enough to stand as a councillor," she was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

“We all know that local politics in our community continues to be male-dominated. There are far too few women involved in local politics and this needs to change as I know women can make a huge contribution."

Patel added: "It is important for women to have their voices heard. There is also a great misconception about females who wear the full veil in the UK. I wanted to help make a difference in my own community and help to bring about change."

She branded comments made by party leader Boris Johnson, comparing women wearing the full veil to 'letterboxes' and 'bank robbers', as 'indefensible'.

Tiger, real name Altaf, amassed a legion of fans during his campaign for the Audley and Queen's Park ward seat on Blackburn Council through his seemingly unintentionally funny campaign videos.

He is continuing to post similar videos highlighting issues including fly-tipping, potholes and the state of local facilities including parks.

"This is the first woman in the UK standing in the Conservative party, in any party, who wears the niqab," Tiger told MailOnline about his wife's candidacy.

No national-level politicians in Britain are wearing a full veil. Apsana Begum became the first MP to wear a hijab in the House of Commons when she was elected in 2019.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less