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| Dutch MP hails UK visit 'victory' | Dutch MP hails UK visit 'victory' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders has hailed his arrival in the UK as a "victory for freedom of speech". | Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders has hailed his arrival in the UK as a "victory for freedom of speech". |
| He told a packed press conference in Westminster he was "proud of the UK asylum and immigration tribunal" for overturning the ban. | He told a packed press conference in Westminster he was "proud of the UK asylum and immigration tribunal" for overturning the ban. |
| And he repeated his criticism of Muslim ideology and his call for the Koran to be banned in his native Holland. | And he repeated his criticism of Muslim ideology and his call for the Koran to be banned in his native Holland. |
| His press conference was moved inside amid angry scenes, with demonstrators chanting "Wilders go to hell". | His press conference was moved inside amid angry scenes, with demonstrators chanting "Wilders go to hell". |
| About 40 Muslim protesters gathered outside the House of Lords annexe on Westminster's College Green, where the hastily rearranged press conference was held. | |
| Held back by a police line, and surrounded by camera crews from around the world, they chanted slogans and held up placards saying: "Sharia for the Netherlands" and "Islam will be superior". | |
| ''Defend freedom' | |
| One protester, Sayful Islam, said they wanted to see Wilders "tried in an Islamic court" for "insulting the Prophet", adding: "We need to put this dog on a leash". | |
| Mr Wilders said he was not setting out to insult Muslims - the majority of whom were "law-abiding - but he defended his right to criticise the actions of a minority who he said posed a threat to society. | |
| "My aim is not to insult anyone but it is to defend freedom," he said. | |
| Mr Wilders, who faces trial at home for inciting hatred, was allowed into the UK after a ban on him was lifted. | Mr Wilders, who faces trial at home for inciting hatred, was allowed into the UK after a ban on him was lifted. |
| The Freedom Party leader was turned away from the UK in February on the grounds that his allegedly anti-Islamic views posed a threat to public security but that decision was overturned earlier this week. | The Freedom Party leader was turned away from the UK in February on the grounds that his allegedly anti-Islamic views posed a threat to public security but that decision was overturned earlier this week. |
| Although agreeing not to challenge the decision, the Home Office has said Mr Wilders' comments will be closely watched by the authorities. | Although agreeing not to challenge the decision, the Home Office has said Mr Wilders' comments will be closely watched by the authorities. |
| Mr Wilders was invited to the UK by UK Independence Party peer Lord Pearson. | Mr Wilders was invited to the UK by UK Independence Party peer Lord Pearson. |
| 'Inter-faith violence' | 'Inter-faith violence' |
| Mr 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". | Mr 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. | 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. |
| It's not my intention to have anything at all to do with violence Geert WildersFreedom Party Gavin Hewitt on Wilders visit | It's not my intention to have anything at all to do with violence Geert WildersFreedom Party Gavin Hewitt on Wilders visit |
| 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. | 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. | "It was more important to allow free speech than to take restrictive action speculatively," they said. |
| Mr 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. | Mr 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 Mr Wilders was previously stopped from entering the UK under EU immigration regulations on the grounds of public policy and security. | The Home Office said on Thursday that Mr 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. | "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." | "Clearly Mr Wilders' statements and behaviour during a visit will inevitably impact on any future decisions to admit him." |
| GEERT WILDERS Nicknamed "Mozart" because of his mane of platinum blond hairVoted politician of the year in 2007 by the Dutch political press,Lives under police protection because of death threatsWants the Koran and the full-length garment, the burka, to be banned Profile: Geert Wilders | GEERT WILDERS Nicknamed "Mozart" because of his mane of platinum blond hairVoted politician of the year in 2007 by the Dutch political press,Lives under police protection because of death threatsWants the Koran and the full-length garment, the burka, to be banned Profile: Geert Wilders |
| 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 behaviour". | 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 behaviour". |
| 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". | 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, Mr Wilders told BBC Radio 5 live his intention had only ever been "to have a debate about freedom of speech and the threat of Islamisation of our Western societies". | Earlier this week, Mr Wilders told BBC Radio 5 live 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. | "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." | "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. | 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. |