Far-right Dutch MP arrives in UK

Controversial right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders has arrived in the UK after the home secretary said he would not try to block his entry. Wilders was turned away from the UK in February on the grounds that his allegedly anti-Islamic views posed a threat to public security. Far-right Dutch MP arrives in UK The Freedom Party leader is due to hold a press conference in London after that ban was overturned by a tribunal. The Home Office said it was not "minded" to bar his entry this time. However, it has suggested that his behavior and public comments while in the UK would be closely watched by the authorities. Wilders, who faces trial in his own country for inciting hatred, told Associated Press that he had passed through immigration after landing at Heathrow airport. He is due to visit the House of Lords later on the invitation of UK Independence Party peer Lord Pearson. Inter-faith violence Wilders had tried to visit in February to show his controversial film Fitna, which links the Koran to terrorism, but he was turned back by immigration officials at Heathrow airport on the grounds that his views could stir up "inter-faith violence". However, on Tuesday the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled there was no evidence to suggest he represented a real and serious threat to the "fundamental interest" of society. The judges said that even if there had been evidence, it would still have been wrong to turn him away because in the event of any trouble the police would have been able to deal with it. "It was more important to allow free speech than to take restrictive action speculatively," they said. Wilders has already said he does not plan to show his film during this visit, but intends to return again at a later date for a screening. The Home Office said on Thursday that Wilders was previously stopped from entering the UK under EU immigration regulations on the grounds of public policy and security. "On this occasion the home secretary is not minded to recommend that Wilders is denied admission to the UK," a spokesman said. "Clearly Mr Wilders' statements and behaviour during a visit will inevitably impact on any future decisions to admit him." Officials say his case differs from that of a larger number of individuals - including Islamic extremists and white supremacists - who are on a list of people excluded from Britain for "unacceptable behavior". The power to impose such exclusions was introduced in 2005, following the London bombings, and applies predominantly to non-EU nationals who would seek to "foster hatred or promote terrorism". Earlier this week, Wilders told BBC Radio his intention had only ever been "to have a debate about freedom of speech and the threat of Islamisation of our Western societies". "I believe the decision of the UK government was political; it was not based on law," he said. "It's not my intention to have anything at all to do with violence." The Home Office said a final decision would be made on whether to appeal against the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal's decision after its written judgement was handed down next week.

Far-right Dutch MP arrives in UK

The Freedom Party leader is due to hold a press conference in London after that ban was overturned by a tribunal.

The Home Office said it was not "minded" to bar his entry this time.

However, it has suggested that his behavior and public comments while in the UK would be closely watched by the authorities.

Wilders, who faces trial in his own country for inciting hatred, told Associated Press that he had passed through immigration after landing at Heathrow airport.

He is due to visit the House of Lords later on the invitation of UK Independence Party peer Lord Pearson.

Inter-faith violence

Wilders had tried to visit in February to show his controversial film Fitna, which links the Koran to terrorism, but he was turned back by immigration officials at Heathrow airport on the grounds that his views could stir up "inter-faith violence".

However, on Tuesday the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal ruled there was no evidence to suggest he represented a real and serious threat to the "fundamental interest" of society.

The judges said that even if there had been evidence, it would still have been wrong to turn him away because in the event of any trouble the police would have been able to deal with it.

"It was more important to allow free speech than to take restrictive action speculatively," they said.

Wilders has already said he does not plan to show his film during this visit, but intends to return again at a later date for a screening.

The Home Office said on Thursday that Wilders was previously stopped from entering the UK under EU immigration regulations on the grounds of public policy and security.

"On this occasion the home secretary is not minded to recommend that Wilders is denied admission to the UK," a spokesman said.

"Clearly Mr Wilders' statements and behaviour during a visit will inevitably impact on any future decisions to admit him."

Officials say his case differs from that of a larger number of individuals - including Islamic extremists and white supremacists - who are on a list of people excluded from Britain for "unacceptable behavior".

The power to impose such exclusions was introduced in 2005, following the London bombings, and applies predominantly to non-EU nationals who would seek to "foster hatred or promote terrorism".

Earlier this week, Wilders told BBC Radio his intention had only ever been "to have a debate about freedom of speech and the threat of Islamisation of our Western societies".

"I believe the decision of the UK government was political; it was not based on law," he said.

"It's not my intention to have anything at all to do with violence."

The Home Office said a final decision would be made on whether to appeal against the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal's decision after its written judgement was handed down next week.