Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s candidate for the 2028 London mayoral election, has drawn national media attention after controversially suggesting that Muslim women, wearing the burka, should be subject to stop and search. But her remarks have prompted criticism from members of London’s Muslim community.
City News has heard from some of London’s residents in response to Laila Cunningham’s comments on stop-and-search.
In a recent media interview, Cunningham said of Muslim women, ‘I would look to ban face coverings if I could, but I would like to make it a reason for stop and search’.
She added, ‘it has to be assumed that if you are hiding your face, you are hiding it for a criminal reason’.
Cunningham also said that in some parts of London ‘it does feel like a Muslim city… you’ve got burkas being sold in markets’.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, countered her remarks stating: ‘I wouldn’t dream of telling women what to wear. I think they should have the freedom to choose what to wear’.
Who is Laila Cunningham?
Laila Cunningham began her career in civil litigation, working for the Crown Prosecution Service.
In 2022 she was elected as a Tory councillor for Westminster, representing the Lancaster Gate ward, having previously stood unsuccessfully in the 2018 local elections.
In May 2024, she was due to stand as the Conservative Party’s general election candidate for the Rotherham parliamentary constituency in South Yorkshire, but withdrew at the last moment.
The move left the Conservatives without a candidate in the seat, the first time the party had not contested Rotherham at a general election since 1945.
In the summer of 2025, Cunningham defected to Reform UK. She remains a councillor for the Lancaster Gate ward, but has said she does not intend to stand again in order to concentrate on her bid to become London’s mayor.
London resident’s reactions
Until the interview, Cunningham was largely unknown outside local politics, raising questions about whether the remarks were intended to increase her public profile ahead of the election.
Sumayyah, a Muslim woman living in London, doesn’t think being Mayor is actually her goal, instead ‘she’s just trying to fuel hatred and make a name for herself in Reform’.
‘What she says really directly impacts us. Her words have meaning and they are like bullets to our community’.
When asked about Cunningham describing herself as a Muslim, she said ‘I am surprised that a Muslim woman would say that about a community she identifies with, but I’m not surprised Laila Cunningham would say that’.
Hackney Stand Up To Racism were ‘appalled’ by Cunningham’s comments and in a statement to City News said ‘Muslim women are already at the sharp end of racial abuse and this has been exacerbated by the rise of the Far Right’.
Cunningham has since said that she does not pay attention to the criticism and has reiterated her views in subsequent interviews.
Dave, who describes himself as a Reform voter, said that he was unaware of Cunningham before the controversy brought her into the spotlight, but added that he would likely vote for her in the next Mayoral election.
The Mayor’s role in policing
The Mayor of London oversees the Metropolitan Police, sets strategic priorities, agrees the budget and holds the Met Commissioner to account through the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan.
While the mayor cannot direct individual police operations, the role allows influence over policing strategies, including approaches to stop and search.
If elected, Laila Cunningham would not be able to order stop and search herself, but she could shape priorities that affect its use across the capital.
Her recent comments, however, seem to contradict the current Stop and Search Charter, which commits the Met to ‘not stereotyping individuals based on their clothing’.
Laila Cunningham and Reform UK were contacted for comment but no response was received.
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HeadlineReform’s London mayoral candidate criticised over stop-and-search comments
Short HeadlineLaila Cunningham’s controversial comments over stop-and-search
StandfirstLaila Cunningham has drawn national media attention for suggesting that Muslim women wear face coverings ‘for criminal reasons’.
Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s candidate for the 2028 London mayoral election, has drawn national media attention after controversially suggesting that Muslim women, wearing the burka, should be subject to stop and search. But her remarks have prompted criticism from members of London’s Muslim community.
City News has heard from some of London’s residents in response to Laila Cunningham’s comments on stop-and-search.
In a recent media interview, Cunningham said of Muslim women, ‘I would look to ban face coverings if I could, but I would like to make it a reason for stop and search’.
She added, ‘it has to be assumed that if you are hiding your face, you are hiding it for a criminal reason’.
Cunningham also said that in some parts of London ‘it does feel like a Muslim city… you’ve got burkas being sold in markets’.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, countered her remarks stating: ‘I wouldn’t dream of telling women what to wear. I think they should have the freedom to choose what to wear’.
Who is Laila Cunningham?
Laila Cunningham began her career in civil litigation, working for the Crown Prosecution Service.
In 2022 she was elected as a Tory councillor for Westminster, representing the Lancaster Gate ward, having previously stood unsuccessfully in the 2018 local elections.
In May 2024, she was due to stand as the Conservative Party’s general election candidate for the Rotherham parliamentary constituency in South Yorkshire, but withdrew at the last moment.
The move left the Conservatives without a candidate in the seat, the first time the party had not contested Rotherham at a general election since 1945.
In the summer of 2025, Cunningham defected to Reform UK. She remains a councillor for the Lancaster Gate ward, but has said she does not intend to stand again in order to concentrate on her bid to become London’s mayor.
London resident’s reactions
Until the interview, Cunningham was largely unknown outside local politics, raising questions about whether the remarks were intended to increase her public profile ahead of the election.
Sumayyah, a Muslim woman living in London, doesn’t think being Mayor is actually her goal, instead ‘she’s just trying to fuel hatred and make a name for herself in Reform’.
‘What she says really directly impacts us. Her words have meaning and they are like bullets to our community’.
When asked about Cunningham describing herself as a Muslim, she said ‘I am surprised that a Muslim woman would say that about a community she identifies with, but I’m not surprised Laila Cunningham would say that’.
Hackney Stand Up To Racism were ‘appalled’ by Cunningham’s comments and in a statement to City News said ‘Muslim women are already at the sharp end of racial abuse and this has been exacerbated by the rise of the Far Right’.
Cunningham has since said that she does not pay attention to the criticism and has reiterated her views in subsequent interviews.
Dave, who describes himself as a Reform voter, said that he was unaware of Cunningham before the controversy brought her into the spotlight, but added that he would likely vote for her in the next Mayoral election.
The Mayor’s role in policing
The Mayor of London oversees the Metropolitan Police, sets strategic priorities, agrees the budget and holds the Met Commissioner to account through the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan.
While the mayor cannot direct individual police operations, the role allows influence over policing strategies, including approaches to stop and search.
If elected, Laila Cunningham would not be able to order stop and search herself, but she could shape priorities that affect its use across the capital.
Her recent comments, however, seem to contradict the current Stop and Search Charter, which commits the Met to ‘not stereotyping individuals based on their clothing’.
Laila Cunningham and Reform UK were contacted for comment but no response was received.
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