Dutch MP to visit UK on Friday after ban is lifted
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The far-right Dutch MP who won the right to have a UK travel ban against him overturned will fly to Britain on Friday.
Geert Wilders, who won his case against the Home Office, will not be showing his controversial film Fitna, which has prompted allegations of "Islamophobia". Mr Wilders told the BBC he planned to show the film at a later date.
The then Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, ordered that he be banned from travel to the UK in February, on the grounds that the MP's presence would inflame community tensions and he was was turned back at Heathrow. But the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled on Tuesday that there was no evidence that a previous visit had caused problems and said it was more important to protect freedom of speech.
Mr Wilders told Radio 5 Live: "Its a short visit, not to show Fitna or have a debate – we will have that later. I believe it was a good day yesterday for the freedom of speech. I believe the decision of the UK Government was political, it was not based on law."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments