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Hard-Right Dutch Pol Barred From UK

He's turned back at Heathrow on trip to show anti-Koran film

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 13, 2009 5:11 AM CST

(Newser) – Ultra-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, whose short film attacking the Koran caused an uproar last year, was refused entry to Britain yesterday, reports the Guardian. The member of Parliament was flying to London to show his controversial film when the home secretary sent him a letter saying his presence in the UK constituted "a significantly serious threat." Wilders is intending to visit Washington soon to show the film in Congress.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

The British government banned Dutch right-wing lawmaker Geert Wilders from visiting the country to show his anti-Islam film "Fitna" at the Houses of Parliament. (AP Photo/Steve Parsons, PA)

Dutch right-wing MP Geert Wilders is escorted to an Amsterdam-bound aircraft by police officers at London's Heathrow Airport yesterday after being stopped from entering the Britain. (AP Photo/Steve Parsons-pa)

British home secretary Jacqui Smith sent a letter to Dutch MP and filmmaker Geert Wilders banning him from entering the UK. At right is Prime Minister Gordon Brown. (AP Photo/PA)

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I would say to them, 'Even if you don't like me and don't like the things I say then you should let me in for freedom of speech. If you don't, you are looking like cowards.' - Geert Wilders, Dutch MP and director of a film attacking the Koran

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Guest

Feb 13, 2009 6:38 AM CST

There's no such thing as a decent kind of extremism..

riffran

Feb 13, 2009 5:26 AM CST

but it's OK for Muslims to do whatever they want...no matter how atrocious....like the gang raped lady in Saudi who is now pregnant, and going to prison for adultery,(uh excuse me ....she was raped!) to be given lashes in addition to her "sentance".....I would welcome Geert in my town

Mad

Feb 13, 2009 12:31 AM CST

Damn, the UK has gotten ridiculously PC lately. From Prince Harry catching hell for saying "Paki" and now this. How can one learn tolerance if one never practices it?

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Guardian (UK) (Source Grid »)

Why Wilders should not have been banned
Independent (UK)

World • Lifestyle

Islam • United Kingdom • Koran • Jacqui Smith • Britain • Geert Wilders • Fitna • Islamophobia

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Hard-Right Dutch Pol Barred From UK