Man faces ban over wife's burka

France's prime minister Francois Fillon today said he will sign a decree denying nationality to a man who acknowledged forcing his French wife to wear a burka-style veil over her face.

Mr Fillon says French law allows authorities to refuse nationality applications from those who do not respect the country's values.

A day earlier, French immigration minister Eric Besson said he had signed a decree that would deny the unidentified man's application on the grounds that he rejected secularism and gender equality.

France is currently considering whether to ban face-covering Muslim veils.

A parliamentary panel has said they should be banned in public services, including mass transport and hospitals.