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.
Geert Wilders, who is accused of Islamophobia, was barred from the UK in February after Jacqui Smith, the then Home Secretary, said his presence would threaten community security. He was turned back at Heathrow Airport after still trying to gain entry.
But he now plans to visit “as soon as possible” after winning an appeal against the decision at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.
He aims to broadcast his controversial short film Fitna, which criticises the Koran as a “fascist book”, which he had originally planned to do in the House of Lords in February.
The Home Office insisted Mr Wilders would still inflame community tensions if he comes to the UK and is considering whether to appeal against the ruling.
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See Also
• Should we let Geert Wilders in? Should Britain’s ban on the far-right Dutch MP stand, or should the principle of free speech allow him to air his views here? — The Guardian (UK), Oct. 14, 2009
• Watch Geert Wilders’ movie, Fitna