Headscarf hairdresser brings case

Ms Noah said the headscarf was central to her religion

The owner of a London hair salon is being taken to an industrial tribunal by a Muslim teenager who says her headscarf cost her a job.

Sarah Desrosiers, owner of Wedge salon in King's Cross, said she would fight the case and insisted she had not discriminated against Bushra Noah.

Ms Noah, 19, is claiming direct and indirect religious discrimination.

Ms Desrosiers said she would expect a hairdresser to have her hair on show while working.

I'm hoping for her to understand that she can't get away with treating people like that Bushra Noah

Ms Noah, from Acton in west London, said wearing a headscarf was central to her religion and would not have affected her ability to carry out her job.

Ms Noah told BBC London: "I'm hoping for her to understand that she can't get away with treating people like that.

"And just because I wear a headscarf doesn't mean... I can't work there."

She said that during her interview with Ms Desroriers in March this year, the salon owner had said she felt "uncomfortable" with Miss Noah's wearing of a headscarf.

If a person was wearing a cowboy hat or a baseball hat I would say the same thing Sarah Desrosiers

Ms Desrosiers said she expected her staff to have their hair on show at all times.

She told BBC London: "I'm going for a more urban, alternative style and I would expect someone working in the salon to display that also.

"It has nothing to do with religion. If a person was wearing a cowboy hat or a baseball hat I would say the same thing."

She said she was concerned her business would collapse if Ms Noah's claim was successful.