Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry has appeared to endorse calls for a burqa ban in the UK.
The 45-year-old, who is a part‑time mentor in Chelsea's academy, responded to an Instagram post by Rupert Lowe, a former Reform UK MP who recently founded the political party Restore Britain.
Lowe shared a picture of a London Underground station that had Bengali signage on the outside.
Alongside the image, he wrote: "This picture was taken in London. Restore Britain would ban the burqa, and Restore Britain would ensure that all London stations use English, and English only. Enough is enough."
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Lowe added: "Vote Restore Britain to get our capital city back."
The burka is a one-piece garment that covers the entire body and face, often leaving just a mesh screen to see through.
After the post was uploaded on March 10, Terry responded days later with three clapping emojis and a St George's Cross.
The former Chelsea and England defender has received huge backlash for the comment but on Sunday (March 22), Lowe jumped to the defence of Terry with a separate post on his social media accounts.
He wrote on X: "I see that England/Chelsea legend John Terry is taking some flak for applauding Restore Britain's policy of banning the burqa and ensuring that all London stations use English, and English only.
"This is the position the vast majority of the British people support.
"There is now a political party that will say exactly what people think and fight to make it happen. Restore Britain."
Lowe continued: "If we get called names? WHO CARES. It does not matter. We do not care, and nor should you. This isn't 2015 anymore. These insults mean nothing.
"More people need to show some courage and stand up for what the majority thinks."
He added: "Restore Britain is doing exactly that. We are going to get our country back."
Lowe, the former chairman of Southampton and a member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, launched Restore Britain in February after being suspended from Reform UK in March last year.
His suspension came after he was alleged to have made threats of physical violence against party chairman Zia Yusuf.
Lowe did not face criminal charges in relation to the allegation of threats.
Topics: John Terry, Chelsea, England
Jack Kenmare