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Ban on Dutch MP from entering UK | Ban on Dutch MP from entering UK |
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A Dutch MP who described the Koran as a "fascist book" has been banned from entering the UK amid fears his presence would endanger public security. | A Dutch MP who described the Koran as a "fascist book" has been banned from entering the UK amid fears his presence would endanger public security. |
Freedom Party MP Geert Wilders was invited to show his controversial film - which links the Islamic holy book to terrorism - in the UK's House of Lords. | Freedom Party MP Geert Wilders was invited to show his controversial film - which links the Islamic holy book to terrorism - in the UK's House of Lords. |
But Mr Wilders, who faces trial in his own country for inciting hatred, has been denied entry by the Home Office. | But Mr Wilders, who faces trial in his own country for inciting hatred, has been denied entry by the Home Office. |
Mr Wilders said the move was "cowardly" but one peer said it was "welcome". | Mr Wilders said the move was "cowardly" but one peer said it was "welcome". |
'Offensive' | 'Offensive' |
Mr Wilders' film Fitna caused outrage across the Muslim world when it was posted on the internet last year. | Mr Wilders' film Fitna caused outrage across the Muslim world when it was posted on the internet last year. |
Its opening scenes show a copy of the Koran followed by footage of the 9/11 attacks in the US and the bombings in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2005. | |
The Dutch prime minister has said the film served "no purpose other than to offend". | The Dutch prime minister has said the film served "no purpose other than to offend". |
Mr Wilders was asked to show the film at the House of Lords by UK Independence Party peer Lord Pearson. | Mr Wilders was asked to show the film at the House of Lords by UK Independence Party peer Lord Pearson. |
It would be unwise to have him in the UK because this man's presence would cause hatred Lord Ahmend Profile: Geert Wilders | It would be unwise to have him in the UK because this man's presence would cause hatred Lord Ahmend Profile: Geert Wilders |
However, he received a letter from the British Embassy in the Netherlands telling him he would not be allowed into the UK. | However, he received a letter from the British Embassy in the Netherlands telling him he would not be allowed into the UK. |
The Home Office said there was a blanket ban on Mr Wilders entering the UK under EU laws enabling member states to exclude someone whose presence could threaten public security. | The Home Office said there was a blanket ban on Mr Wilders entering the UK under EU laws enabling member states to exclude someone whose presence could threaten public security. |
"The government opposes extremism in all forms," it said in a statement, adding that it had tightened up rules on excluding those engaging in "unacceptable behaviour" in October. | "The government opposes extremism in all forms," it said in a statement, adding that it had tightened up rules on excluding those engaging in "unacceptable behaviour" in October. |
"It will stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred, and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country." | "It will stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred, and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country." |
Mr Wilders described the decision as "cowardly" and said he still intends to travel to the UK on Thursday to take part in the event. | Mr Wilders described the decision as "cowardly" and said he still intends to travel to the UK on Thursday to take part in the event. |
The Dutch government is reported to be trying to overturn the ban. | The Dutch government is reported to be trying to overturn the ban. |
In the past, Mr Wilders has called for the Koran to be banned and compared it to Mein Kampf. | In the past, Mr Wilders has called for the Koran to be banned and compared it to Mein Kampf. |
'Cowardly decision' | 'Cowardly decision' |
Earlier this year, a Dutch court ordered prosecutors to put Mr Wilders on trial for inciting hatred and discrimination by making anti-Islamic statements. | Earlier this year, a Dutch court ordered prosecutors to put Mr Wilders on trial for inciting hatred and discrimination by making anti-Islamic statements. |
Labour peer Lord Ahmed, who expressed his concerns to the Parliamentary authorities about Mr Wilders' visit, said he welcomed the decision to ban the MP. | Labour peer Lord Ahmed, who expressed his concerns to the Parliamentary authorities about Mr Wilders' visit, said he welcomed the decision to ban the MP. |
"It would be unwise to have him in the UK because this man's presence would cause hatred," he said. | "It would be unwise to have him in the UK because this man's presence would cause hatred," he said. |
"He has a case against him in the Amsterdam court for inciting hatred." | "He has a case against him in the Amsterdam court for inciting hatred." |
Lord Ahmed, who said other Muslim peers shared his concerns, stressed that Mr Wilders' views would certainly present a threat to public order. | Lord Ahmed, who said other Muslim peers shared his concerns, stressed that Mr Wilders' views would certainly present a threat to public order. |
"When Muslims are attacked obviously you will see people react to that." | "When Muslims are attacked obviously you will see people react to that." |
But Lord Pearson said the decision to bar him was "weak and unacceptable in the extreme". | But Lord Pearson said the decision to bar him was "weak and unacceptable in the extreme". |
"The Home Office is guilty of appeasement on this, clearly." | "The Home Office is guilty of appeasement on this, clearly." |
The peer said the screening would still go ahead on Thursday whether Mr Wilders was present or not. | The peer said the screening would still go ahead on Thursday whether Mr Wilders was present or not. |
He said the Parliamentary authorities were happy for the event to take place but had ordered extra security for it. | He said the Parliamentary authorities were happy for the event to take place but had ordered extra security for it. |
"The film does not threaten anyone," he said, adding that it simply showed how violent extremists justified their actions. | "The film does not threaten anyone," he said, adding that it simply showed how violent extremists justified their actions. |
He said the screening would be followed by a debate on issues relating to the Koran, extremism and freedom of speech. | He said the screening would be followed by a debate on issues relating to the Koran, extremism and freedom of speech. |