Keegan abuses
The United Kingdom’s education secretary, Gillian Keegan, issued an apology for her remarks during an interview with a news channel.
File photo of UK’s education minister Gillian Keegan.
Keegan took to X, previously known as Twitter, and expressed regret. She said, “I apologize for my spontaneous comment and my choice of language earlier.” She also shared a clip of her interview in which she reiterated her apology.
During the interview, Keegan used an indecent language to criticize her detractors regarding their handling of the Raac crisis in schools.
This crisis emerged following the announcement by the Health and Safety Executive in August that RAAC had reached the end of its lifespan.
The RAAC crisis pertains to the construction of schools in England, with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) being a building material/system used in roof, floor, and wall construction due to its lighter weight and cost-effectiveness compared to regular concrete.
The contentious comments were captured after the interview had concluded, while the camera was repositioned to capture additional shots of Keegan, who was still wearing the microphone.
France top court upholds abaya ban: UK Minister Keegan
Meanwhile, France’s top court upheld the government’s ban on wearing abaya, a traditional over-garments Muslim girls wear in schools. The court rejected complaints that it was discriminatory decision and could incite hatred.
President Emmanuel Macron’s government had announced the ban on the abaya in schools last month. He cited it as a violation of the rules on secularism in education. The ban on Muslim headscarves had already been implemented on the grounds that they displayed religious affiliation.
An association representing Muslims filed a motion with the State Council, France’s highest court for complaints against state authorities. Association sought an injunction against the ban on the abaya and the ‘Kameez’, its male equivalent.
