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Iain Finds An "Elementary" Flaw In Ukip's FGM Policy
24 April 2017, 16:37 | Updated: 24 April 2017, 16:57
Ukip's policy to tackle female genital mutilation has caused consternation today. Iain Dale is joined by Suzanne Evans from the party and he quickly finds a major flaw in the policy.
Ukip launched its "Integration Agenda" today, calling for a ban on the burka, no more Muslim faith schools and wants routine checks of schoolgrils to ensure they haven't suffered genital mutilation.
It's estimated that around 60,000 girls under 15 are at risk of the barbaric process of FGM.
Suzanne Evans joined Iain on his LBC show to defend the policy and was caught out by this question from him: "Have you consulted any FGM survivors on your new policy?"
Evans responded: "Not this time around but we did for the 2015 manifesto."
"But this new policy, you haven't," said Iain. "I would have thought that was pretty elementary."
"But why?" asked Evans.
"Well, pretty bleeding obvious I would say!" shot back Iain.
The exchange then broadened out into Evans' claim that we were "appeasing certain communities" by failing to clamp down sufficiently on genital mutilation.
Iain compared Evans to Marine Le Pen - that comparison didn't seem to go down too well.
"This is the problem with the way this debate is phrased," said Evans. "It's the same with immigration. You actually speak out about something that is a serious concern to people...people try to shut you down by comparing you to extremists."