Britain's traditional 17th century court wigs are 'culturally insensitive' and should be banned, a leading black barrister has claimed.
Leslie Thomas, QC, said the white Georgian-style hair pieces look 'ridiculous' on black advocates and are 'fashioned for caucasian hair'.
It came after Michael Etienne, a black barrister with an afro, was told he risked being in contempt of court if he refused to wear one - before suggesting the tradition was an example of 'hair discrimination'.
Mr Etienne, a specialist in public and human rights cases, had written to the Bar Council to seek guidance on the issue.
The junior barrister tweeted: 'Asked the Bar Council what could happen if, as a Black Barrister with an Afro, I declined to wear my wig.
'The answer included: 'contempt of court', 'wasted costs' and various potential breaches of Code of Conduct. 'Unless the insistence was discriminatory''
Michael Etienne (pictured) was told he risked being in contempt of court if he refused to wear a wig - before suggesting the tradition was an example of 'hair discrimination'
Leslie Thomas (pictured), QC, said the white Georgian-style hair pieces look 'ridiculous' on black advocates and are 'fashioned for caucasian hair'.
Mr Thomas (pictured), one of the most high profile black barristers in the country, branded court wigs 'nonsense' and said they should be scrapped entirely.