A Muslim teaching assistant who has been suspended by her school today denied she had refused to take off her veil while in class.
Aishah Azmi insisted she had always been willing to remove the veil in front of children at Headfield Church of England junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire - but would not do so while male colleagues were present.
Ms Azmi spoke out as Ken Livingstone joined the ranks of people who want to see veils disappear, saying 'most people' held the same view.
The London mayor's comments follow the outcry over the issue sparked by Commons Leader Jack Straw when he revealed he asks his Muslim constituents to remove their veils in meetings.
The mayor has criticised Mr Straw's approach saying it infringed women's rights to wear what they choose.
Mr Livingstone said today that change would have to come over the 'long term' from within the Muslim community, rather than through actions of 'old white male politicians'.
