West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge says he wants to see a ban on woman wearing the burka in public.

Mr Etheridge, who is bidding to succeed Nigel Farage as party leader, described full face veils as 'a security risk' and said they should be banned from being worn in public.

It came as UKIP leadership hopeful Steven Woolfe was excluded from the race, the party said. The hot favourite for the top job missed the nominations deadline on Sunday. He has also admitted that he forgot to declare a drink-driving ban when seeking election as a police and crime commissioner in 2012. A UKIP spokesman said:

"By a clear majority of NEC members, Steven Woolfe MEP's application was considered to be ineligible as a result of a late submission and as such he did not meet the eligibility criteria. His membership of the party was not in question." 

Meanwhile West Midlands MEP Mr Etheridge ramped up his campaign to be leader. Speaking during a debate with three other leadership candidates, he said:

"I don't mind what people do for their cultural values or for their religious values. That's one of the great freedoms of our country.

"We are in a severe security situation, and if you are in a public place that is security sensitive, I'm afraid you have got to show your face. That means any face covering."