12 February 2018

Bristol scout leader expelled after comparing Muslim colleague to Star Wars villain Darth Vader

A senior scout leader who was expelled for criticising a Muslim colleague for wearing a niqab has launched a law suit against the Scout Association.

Brian Walker, an assistant Explorer Scout leader from Bristol, wrote to Scouting magazine to complain after it featured a Muslim leader who was also a scout leader.

The woman, named as Zainab, told the Spring 2017 edition of the magazine: “A couple of times we’ve been out on hikes in our hijabs and neckers, and people have come up to us and given us a lot of positive comments.

“It is not a barrier; it doesn’t stop me from doing anything. I’m bossy. Nobody can say I’m repressed.”

But Mr Walker, a canoeing instructor, wrote to the magazine to say they would “most likely drown wearing that Darth Vader tent”.

In his letter, which was unpublished, he said her “outward appearance is enough to frighten children and animals”. [The Bristol Post] Read more