Ban the veil in public places so Muslim women can feel more British, close Islamic schools and bar Sharia courts, Ukip contender Lisa Duffy demands

• Duffy is one of six contenders in the race to replace Ukip's Nigel Farage 
• In a speech proposing the ban, she was due to say Muslims born in Britain are 'as British as I am and I want them to feel as British British as I do'
• Duffy also expected to call for an outright ban on Sharia courts in the UK

A Ukip leadership candidate has called for the veil to be banned in public places to help Muslim women to feel more British.

In a major speech in London, Lisa Duffy demanded the closure of Islamic faith schools until the problem of Islamist terrorism is dealt with, as well as a 'complete and comprehensive ban' on sharia courts in the UK.

Ms Duffy said her proposals are designed to foster integration, and she claimed: 'Muslims who were born in this country ... are as British as I am and I simply want them to feel as British as I do.'

+4

Ukip leadership contender Lisa Duffy today called for the veil to be banned in public to ensure Muslim women in Britain have the same 'rights and freedoms' as others

+4

Lisa Duffy also demanded the closure of Islamic faith schools until the problem of Islamist terrorism is dealt with

But a rival in the race to succeed Nigel Farage will warn Ukip against focusing its efforts on issues like Islam, warning it risks being seen as 'small-minded' if it chases 'the bigot vote'.

Launching his own leadership campaign in Manchester, Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge will say: 'I am proposing that as a party we focus on our policies, cementing libertarianism into our DNA.

'That means not focusing on small issues like Islam which makes us look small-minded - I'm not chasing the bigot vote.'

Ms Duffy - who is backed by high-profile former Ukip spokeswoman Suzanne Evans - said she wants to 'set out a path of opportunity' for young Muslim women who were told by men what they should wear, what leisure activities they should pursue and even who they should marry.

'Why should I, as a white, Christian woman, effectively enjoy greater civil and human rights and freedoms than others?' the Huntingdonshire district councillor asked.

+4

Under Ms Duffy's proposals the Muslim veil would be banned in public and on public transport

'My ambition is that everyone, from every community, should be able to enjoy the same rights and have the same independent control over their lives and their bodies as I do.'

She described the veil as 'a symbol of aggressive separatism that can only foster extremism' and will claim that it is often 'forced on women by men who view them as their property'.

While stopping short of a complete ban on the veil, Ms Duffy said that under her leadership, Ukip would advocate a 'show your face in public' policy.

'On our public transport networks, in public buildings, banks, stores and shopping precincts - all those places where teenagers are told to take their hoodies down and where motorcyclists are expected to remove their helmets - it is only reasonable to expect everyone to show their faces,' she will say. 

'Again, it is about making sure there is one law for all, rather than making an exception for a community because we are frightened of causing offence. There is no offence to be taken if all are treated equally.'

+4

Suzanne Evans, who is not eligible to stand for leader herself after getting suspended, backs Ms Duffy to succeed Nigel Farage as the Ukip leader 

Ms Duffy said the rule should apply 'just as much to the retinues accompanying Middle Eastern princes to London as it will to Muslim women living in Britain' and that it should not be regarded as Islamophobic for someone to politely request a woman to remove a veil in public.

'I have a positive vision for British Islam where girls can grow up with equal rights to men and be given the rights of self-determination the rest of us take for granted,' she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Etheridge will position himself as the 'unity candidate' in a contest taking place amid increasingly vitriolic disputes between supporters of Mr Farage and backers of the party's only MP Douglas Carswell.

At his campaign launch, the Dudley borough councillor is expected to say: 'I do not want the party to scurry to the centre and abandon the values we as a party are supposed to promote, like a small state, low taxes and individual liberties. It is our difference which is our strength.'

Ms Duffy and Mr Etheridge are among a field of six candidates on the ballot paper in a race from which early favourites like Ms Evans and Steven Woolfe have been excluded.

The victor will be announced at Ukip's annual conference in Bournemouth on September 15.