Reform UK’s newest MP called for the burqa to be banned in Britain during Prime Minister’s Questions. Sarah Pochin, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, used her first question at the weekly Commons session to ask Sir Keir Starmer if he would follow other European countries that have made it illegal for people to cover their faces in public places.

She said: “Given the Prime Minister’s desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he, in the interests of public safety, follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others and ban the burqa?” Her question prompted an outraged reaction from some MPs in the House of Commons.

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin asks her first question at PMQs (Image: Parliament)

The Prime Minister appeared visibly taken aback before taking a swipe at Reform leader Nigel Farage over the Clacton MP’s recent policy announcements, including restoring winter fuel payments and scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Sir Keir replied: “Can I welcome her to her place, but I’m not going to follow her down that line.

“But now she is here and safely in her place, perhaps she could tell her new party leader that his latest plan to bet £80billion of unfunded tax cuts, with no idea how he’s going to pay for it, is Liz Truss all over again.

“Although considering I think she was a Conservative member when Liz Truss was leader, she probably won’t.”

Senior Tory James Cleverly hit out at Sir Keir over his reply to the Reform MP’s question.

The former cabinet minister wrote on X: “Unacceptable behaviour from Keir Starmer at PMQs. After failing to answer any of Kemi’s questions, he basically said to Sarah Pochin that he didn’t like her question so ‘wasn’t going to engage with it’.

“Refusing to answer MP’s questions isn’t an option as a government minister.”

It comes after Ms Pochin was elected as Reform’s fifth MP in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election last month.

She overturned a 14,696 majority to take the traditionally seat for Labour.