Wilders heads for UK

Controversial right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders is due to arrive in the UK later after the home secretary said he would not try to block his entry. Mr Wilders was turned away from the UK in February on the grounds that his allegedly anti-Islamic views posed a threat to public security. But the Freedom Party leader is now due to visit London on Friday after that ban was overturned by a tribunal. The Home Office says it is considering whether to challenge the decision.

A spokesman for Home Secretary Alan Johnson said on Thursday: “Any European visitor’s right to enter the UK will be considered on its merits by an immigration officer. On this occasion the home secretary is not minded to recommend that Wilders is denied admission to the UK. Clearly Mr Wilders’ statements and behaviour during a visit will inevitably impact on any future decisions to admit him.”

BBC News, 16 October 2009