Muslim student ordered to remove her hijab in McDonald's says an apology isn't 'enough'

Teenager says the firm is not taking responsibility for the incident

A student who was told to remove her hijab by a security guard McDonald’s has said that the fast food chain's apology is "not enough".

Footage of the 19-year-old Muslim woman being stopped by a security guard at a branch of the restaurant in Holloway, north London, went viral after it was posted to social media by her friend.

The firm has apologised and said the security guard responsible had been suspended.

But the student, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the BBC Asian Network it is “not enough”.

She said: “They basically said that the security guard was employed by a third-party company and so what they're trying to say is, 'We don't condone his conduct but we can't be held responsible because we're not the people who hire them'.

“But if you're going to use a separate company you need to be aware of what kind of policies they have, especially in a city like London.”

In footage of the incident, the woman asks the guard why she cannot be allowed to queue.

“It’s just a matter of taking it off,” he can be heard saying.

The woman responds: “It’s not just a matter of taking it off. I wear this for religious reasons and I’m not ashamed of it, and I will stand in line and I will get the food I want, because this isn’t okay.”

Another member of the public tried to defend the teenager, to which the guard responds: “It’s none of your business.”

When the woman is told she will be able to come into the restaurant, she replies: "I don't want want anything any more."

In a statement to The Independent, McDonald's said it “has no policy which restricts or prevents anyone wearing a hijab, or any other religious attire, from entering our restaurants”.

It added: “We welcome customers of all faiths and sincerely apologise for this situation. We are taking this matter very seriously and are addressing the situation with the individuals involved; the security guard, from a third party company, has been suspended.”