Full-face Islamic veils such as the burqa are not illegal in Malta and, as such, the police cannot take action against any person wearing the garment, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said this evening.

Replying to a parliamentary question by PN MP Clyde Puli, Mr Abela said full-face veils do not contravene the country's laws.

He said the police acted against anyone wearing a mask or anything aimed at changing his appearance in breach of the criminal code. But action is not taken against persons wearing the full face veil for religious reasons since this did not amount to a breach of the criminal code.

Mr Abela said the police could order the removal of the veil if they had a reasonable suspicion that the person was about to commit a crime. In reply to another PQ by PN MP Jason Azzopardi, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said Transport Malta presently has no policies about drivers wearing a burqa or a niqab.

The Minister failed to reply to Dr Azzopardi’s second part of the question. The PN MP had asked the Minister if he believed that such a policy was needed.