UK Bars Foreign 'Preachers of Hate'

Measure also targets animal-rights groups, anti-abortionists

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Oct 28, 2008 3:18 PM CDT

(Newser) – Britain has new rules designed to keep “preachers of hate” off the island, the Telegraph reports. The measures shift the burden of proof from authorities to the foreign-born accused, who must retract controversial statements and sometimes make pro-democracy public statements to enter or remain in the UK. While terrorists are the obvious target, those barred have included anti-abortionists and animal-rights activists.

The proposal expands the Home Office's ability to “name and shame” people blocked from Britain, including the 230 individuals barred for “unacceptable behavior” since 2005. But “it's the people who are working undercover” who “are the really dangerous people,” a Conservative MP criticizes, saying the preventative effort misses the mark by not addressing the UK's existing illegal extremism.

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Jacqui Smith's newest efforts are to bar foreign nationals who stir up tensions in the UK. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Britain's Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, left, listens to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, right. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

The Conservative Party holds a shadow cabinet meeting at The House of Commons. The party has criticized the new measures for not focusing on stealth preachers of hate. (Getty Images)

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The main problem with these sort of eye-catching gimmicks is they don't make us any safer at all. - Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat's
home affairs spokesman

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UK Bars Foreign 'Preachers of Hate'