Lawmaker apologises for comments about niquab-wearers at citizenship ceremonies

A lawmaker from Canada's governing party has apologised for saying women who wish to wear a face veil while swearing the oath of citizenship should stay where they came from.

Conservative parliamentarian Larry Miller made the comments on a radio show on Monday. He said he was baffled about a Federal Court ruling overturning a ban on the wearing of niqabs during citizenship ceremonies. He added that women who want to wear the veil should "stay the hell where you came from".

On Tuesday, Miller said he stands by his view that anyone taking the oath must uncover their face. But he added, "I apologise for and retract my comments that went beyond this."

A spokeswoman for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Miller's remarks were inappropriate and went beyond "our clear position".

"We believe most Canadians, including new Canadians, would find it offensive that someone would cover their face at the very moment they want to join the Canadian family," Anna Tomala said in an email.

The Harper government is appealing the court decision.