Excerpt:
The architect of France's burka ban has accused Britain of "losing the battle against Islamic extremism" by failing to introduce one of its own.
Jacques Myard, a senior member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP party, said relaxed UK policies had "opened the door to terrorism".
He added: "Allowing women to exclude themselves from society by wearing the full Islamic veil makes radicals extremely comfortable, and Britain should realise this."