TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan has defended former Chelsea and England captain John Terry following strong criticism over his apparent support for Rupert Lowe and his controversial stance on a proposed burqa ban.
Terry appeared to back calls to ban the burqa in the UK last week, as he posted three clapping emojis and an England flag under Lowe’s post on Instagram that reiterated support for restrictions on face coverings in public.
The former Chelsea defender’s online comments have caused a stir, with some accusing him of endorsing divisive rhetoric, but Jordan has since stepped in to defend his actions.
Simon Jordan Defends John Terry
john terry
Speaking on the White & Jordan Show on talkSPORT, Jordan came to Terry’s defence after the former Chelsea defender was caught in controversy over his apparent support for Lowe and a proposed burqa ban. Jordan said:
“Some of Rupert Lowe’s views, I concur with. Some of the other views I don’t concur with.
“And if John Terry concurs with the idea that, in this country, there’s a degree of discomfort around facial coverings, that is not racism. That is an alternative view. You are allowed to have that view.
“But because we live in this stupid, binary world, where if you don’t agree with something, you are a racist, or a misogynist, or an Islamophobe.”
In his aforementioned Instagram post, Lowe shared a photograph of a Muslim woman dressed in a burqa outside a London Underground station displaying Bengali text.
Beneath the post, he wrote: “This picture was taken in London.
“Restore Britain would ban the burqa, and Restore Britain would ensure that all London stations use English and English only. Enough is enough. Vote Restore Britain to get our capital city back.”
A burqa is the clothing worn by some Muslim women that covers their entire body and face, typically featuring a mesh screen over the eyes for vision. Countries such as France, Belgium and Denmark have previously banned the burqa in public spaces.
Lowe Responds to John Terry Criticism
John Terry
Amid heavy criticism, Lowe, who was once Southampton chairman, leaped to Terry’s defence as well. He posted the same picture and wrote:
“I see that England/Chelsea legend John Terry is taking some flak for applauding Restore Britain's policy of banning the burqa and ensuring that all London stations use English, and English only.
“This is the position the vast majority of the British people support. There is now a political party that will say exactly what people think and fight to make it happen. Restore Britain.
“If we get called names? WHO CARES. It does not matter. We do not care, and nor should you. This isn't 2015 anymore. These insults mean nothing. More people need to show some courage and stand up for what the majority thinks. Restore Britain is doing exactly that. We are going to get our country back.”
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John Terry Appears to Endorse MP's 'Restore Britain' Post About Banning the Burqa
He reacted warmly to Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain pledge.