13 October 2009

Geert Wilders wins appeal against ban on travelling to UK

.... Judge CMG Ockelton, who chaired the tribunal, said that Wilders's opinions were expressed strongly and in a way that was bound to cause offence but that the right of freedom of expression was important in a democratic society. "Substantial evidence of actual harm would be needed before it would be proper for a government to prevent the expression and discussion of matters that might form the opinions of legislators, policy makers and voters," he said. [guardian.co.uk] Read more

Court rules UK was wrong to bar Geert Wilders The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in London has ruled that Dutch rightwing politician Geert Wilders should not have been refused entry to the United Kingdom in February.

.... Mr Wilders said he was “very happy” about the ruling. He said the British government decision to bar him had been politically motivated and described today’s ruling as “not a victory for me, only a victory for freedom of speech”. He said he would be consulting with his UK lawyers, and planned to travel to Britain at the earliest possible opportunity. He denied being an extremist. [Radio Netherlands] Read more