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Far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders to visit UK

after ban overturned
A far-right Dutch MP, whose anti-Muslim film fuelled racist violence, could come to the UK
as early as next week after he overturned a Home Office ban on entering the country.
   

By Tom Whitehead, Home Affairs Editor Share |

Published: 7:30AM BST 14 Oct 2009

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Mr Wilders has urged the Dutch government to ban the Koran Photo: EPA 5.DJ Steve Penk plays Van Halen's Jump as
Geert Wilders, who is accused of Islamophobia, was barred from the UK in woman leaps from bridge
February after Jacqui Smith, the then Home Secretary, said his presence would
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Related Articles Fitna, which criticises the Koran as a "fascist book", up to 4.70% AER. Find out more.
Geert Wilders wins which he had originally planned to do in the House of
challenge against Lords in February. Search for all sports tickets
British ban
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Dutch anti-Muslim The Home Office insisted Mr Wilders would still
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politician turned away inflame community tensions if he comes to the UK Utd Tickets, Fulham Tickets.
from Britain at and is considering whether to appeal against the
Heathrow
ruling.
Dutch divided over
Geert Wilders as Mr Wilders was originally invited to screen his film by
radical MP eyes
premiership Lord Pearson, the UKIP peer, and the Dutch MP's
Anti-Muslim politician
lawyer, Tiki Emezie, said he hoped to meet with the
challenges right to peer in London next week.
enter UK
Dutch anti-Muslim Mr Wilders said: "I am very, very happy. It is not just
politician Geert a victory for me. It is a victory for freedom of speech.
Wilders to screen
Fitna film in
Washington
"It was a politically motivated decision to not to allow
me to enter the UK, to detain me and to send me
Banning Wilders
plays into the hands back.
of our Islamist
enemies "As soon as I can, as soon as possible, I will visit the
UK. I will certainly be invited again by Lord Pearson
to show my film and have the debate. I will proudly accept that invitation."

Mr Wilders has urged the Dutch government to ban the Koran. His film sparked
violent protests around the Muslim world last year for linking verses in the text
with footage of terrorist attacks.
In January a Dutch court said the MP, the leader of the Freedom Party, should
stand trial for inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims by comparing
their religion to Nazism.

In its judgment, the three-person tribunal panel questioned the entire basis upon
which the decision to ban was made.

The judges said there was "no evidential basis" to suggest his presence in the
UK represented a real and serious threat to a "fundamental interest" of society.

Even if there had been evidence, it would have been wrong to ban him, the
judges concluded.

Under those circumstances, they said, the police would have been able to
ensure order and remove him if there was any trouble.

"It was more important to allow free speech than to take restrictive action
speculatively," they said.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We are disappointed by the court's decision
today. The Government opposes extremism is all its forms.
Pictures of the day
"The decision to refuse Wilders admission was taken on the basis that his Simpsons stained glass,
a colourful shrimp, and a
presence could have inflamed tensions between our communities and have led
curious whale.
to inter-faith violence. We still maintain this view."

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