Nadine O'Regan: France left exposed by attempted burkini ban

The country’s desire to maintain its secularist nature is understandable - but its latest clampdown goes too far

Telling other people what to wear is almost always a bad idea.

It’s a bad idea in a domestic setting, say, for example, when you’re about to leave for a wedding and your boyfriend says your dress is hideous. And it’s a bad idea in a public one, say, when an official decides that people need ...