London : A Tory MP has been investigated by police for alleged racial hatred after criticising the veil during a Commons debate.
Philip Hollobone described the garment as "going around with a paper bag over your head with two holes for the eyes".
Northamptonshire Race Equality Council, which is funded by taxpayers, complained to police. Hollobone said the group wanted to see him prosecuted for inciting hatred but the Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to take action.
Debates in Westminster are protected by parliamentary privilege. He insisted he would continue to speak out on a "perfectly legitimate topic for debate".
"What we cannot have in this country are MPs being threatened when they speak out on contentious issues," he said.
"The judgment of Northamptonshire Race Equality Council is quite wrong in speaking to police as they haven't tried to engage in any debate. I have no criticism of the police they have behaved impeccably."
In a debate over immigration on February 2, the Kettering MP said: "How ridiculous would the House of Commons be if we were all to wear veils? How would Mr Speaker be able to identify which member to call next?" Last month, the council sent the MP a letter criticising his stance. Hollobone said: "It's complete hypocrisy. They talk about freedom of speech and expression and then without even making contact try to get me prosecuted."
