Banned Dutch Politician Refused Entry Into UK

A right-wing Dutch politician who described the Koran as a "fascist book" has been turned away at Heathrow Airport, after attempting to defy a ban on entering the United Kingdom.

Freedom Party MP Geert Wilders was invited to Westminster to show his controversial 17-minute film 'Fitna' - which links the Islamic holy book to terrorism - by a member of the House of Lords.

However, the Home Office banned the MP on Tuesday, claiming his opinions "would threaten public security".

Immigration officials denied the Dutch MP entry to the country after the Government decided he should not be allowed to attend a screening of the film tonight.

The Home Office said there was a blanket ban on the far-right politician entering the UK under EU laws enabling member states to exclude someone whose presence could threaten public security.

The Home Office added: "The Government opposes extremism in all its forms.

"It will stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country and that was the driving force behind tighter rules on exclusions for unacceptable behaviour that the Home Secretary announced in October last year."

Before boarding the British Midlands flight from Amsterdam this afternoon, brandishing his passport and boarding pass, he said he would have to be physically restrained from entering Britain.

"I'll see what happens at the border. Let them put me in handcuffs," he said.

At 2.20pm, Mr Wilders was escorted through UK immigration by two plain-clothed officers and into the offices of the UK border agency.

As he approached passport control, Mr Wilders was asked if he was nervous. He replied: "I'm not nervous. I'm just anxious to find out what will happen to me. Is this how Great Britain welcomes a democrat?"

Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Verhagen had earlier condemned the decision.

Mr Verhagen called upon Foreign Secretary David Milliband to protest at the situation, saying: "The fact that a Dutch parliamentarian is refused entry to another EU country is highly regrettable."

Meanwhile, the Muslim Council of Britain has called Mr Wilders "an open and relentless preacher of hate".

It added: "We have no problem with the challenge of criticisms to our faith, but the film... is nothing less than a cheap and tacky attempt to whip up hysteria against Muslims."

(JM/BMcC)