After the DG and Deputy DG apparently contradicted each other in Press reports over the weekend (see here), the BBC has issued this statement:

BBC clarification on the issue of the wearing of veils by BBC newsreaders
Date: 02.11.2006

The BBC has issued the following clarification note on the issue of BBC newsreaders wearing veils on screen:

In light of recent press confusion, we thought it useful to clarify the BBC's position on veils and newsreaders.

Despite what may have been written in some papers, the BBC's management is, and always has been, in agreement that it would not be appropriate for presenters to wear a veil over the face as it would seriously interfere with the primary objective of communicating with our audience.