UK Government lifts visa ban on controversial Dutch politician

An immigration tribunal has overturned the ban on controversial right-wing politician Geert Wilders which will allow him to travel to the UK to attend a showing of his film Fitna.

Wilders will now be able to go to London next week for the UK showing of his film in which he claims the Koran is fascist. The tribunal allowed his travel after deciding that it did he did not represent a significant threat to community stability.

The Home Office has spoken out against the immigration tribunal’s decision to refute the office’s claims that Wilders’ presence may lead to inflamed tensions and inter-faith violence in the community.

Wilders was denied entry into the UK earlier this year at Heathrow after the then High Court head Jacqui Smith decided to ban him from Britain. At the time Smith stated that Wilders would threaten public safety and community relations. Wilders is currently facing trial in Holland for inciting hatred and discrimination.

The decision to overturn the ban was announced by tribunal chair Judge CMG Ockelton who said that although the Dutchman’s opinions were likely to provoke reaction it was still the part of the democratic convention to allow freedom of expression. Ockleton claimed free speech was more important that speculative restrictive action.

The decision led to the announcement by Wilders that he would soon be travelling to the House of Lords to meet with Lord Pearson to discuss his work. The Home Office has not ruled out an appeal.