Homophobic-Christian Sect Banned From UK

Members of an American religious group, who have previously picketed the funerals of US soldiers, were today banned from entering Great Britain.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper would be turned away by border control if they attempted to enter the UK.

The family's church has called for all homosexuals to be killed, and members have stood at military funerals across America with placards reading "God hates fags" and "Thank God for dead soliders".

Speculation had mounted that members from the sect may attempt to protest at a UK play due to be staged later this month.

Queen Mary's College is set to run The Laramie Project, a production about a man killed for being gay.

Westboro members blasted the play's content on its website, and urged followers to picket proceedings in Hampshire.

The website said: "In merry old England they plan to further enrage the living God by putting on the farce known commonly as The Laramie Project.

"We will picket them, and see if they actually believe those lies they tell about how tolerant and accepting Brits are."

Today, the UK Borders Agency said it opposed extremism in every form.

"Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behaviour by inciting hatred against a number of communities," a spokesman said.

"The government has made it clear it opposes extremism in all its forms.

"We will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country.

"The exclusions policy is targeted at all those who seek to stir up tension and provoke others to violence regardless of their origins and beliefs."

The religious group has yet to confirm whether it plans to picket the play, but police in the Hampshire area have warned they are monitoring the situation.

(PR/JM)