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
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
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.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments