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Koran-protest US pastor Terry Jones excluded from UK US pastor Terry Jones banned from entering UK
(about 2 hours later)
Controversial US pastor Terry Jones has been excluded from the UK for the public good, the Home Office has said. Controversial US pastor Terry Jones has been barred from entering the UK for the public good, the Home Office says.
The pastor had been invited to the UK to give an address to the right-wing group England Is Ours in Milton Keynes. The pastor had been invited to address right-wing group England Is Ours in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
Mr Jones gained international attention for threatening to burn a copy of the Koran outside his church in the US on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Mr Jones gained international attention last year for threatening to burn a copy of the Koran outside his church on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
A Home Office spokesperson said the government "opposes extremism in all its forms". His son, Pastor Luke Jones, said the family was "shocked" and the decision did not "benefit England".
He said: "Numerous comments made by Pastor Jones are evidence of his unacceptable behaviour. The Home Office said Mr Jones could not enter the UK as the government "opposes extremism in all its forms".
A spokesman said: "Numerous comments made by Pastor Jones are evidence of his unacceptable behaviour.
"Coming to the UK is a privilege not a right and we are not willing to allow entry to those whose presence is not conducive to the public good."Coming to the UK is a privilege not a right and we are not willing to allow entry to those whose presence is not conducive to the public good.
"The use of exclusion powers is very serious and no decision is taken lightly or as a method of stopping open debate.""The use of exclusion powers is very serious and no decision is taken lightly or as a method of stopping open debate."
Mr Jones - who is pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, which has fewer than 50 members - came to prominence in September after he announced plans for his "International Burn a Koran Day".Mr Jones - who is pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, which has fewer than 50 members - came to prominence in September after he announced plans for his "International Burn a Koran Day".
His plan was internationally condemned and sparked many demonstrations around the world. He eventually called off his protest.His plan was internationally condemned and sparked many demonstrations around the world. He eventually called off his protest.
'Disappointed'
Mr Jones had accepted an invitation to speak to England Is Ours in February and was due to speak at a series of demonstrations against the expansion of Islam and the construction of mosques in the UK.
Barry Taylor, secretary of England Is Ours, said he was "very disappointed" by the decision.
"The whole object of the exercise is to have a discussion about the Islamification of the UK and just have dialogue about the problems," he said.
"The idea isn't to cause trouble or kick up a stink. These things do need addressing and people do need to speak about them. We shouldn't be frightened about them."
He said he had expected about 100 people to attend events organised for Mr Jones, including about 30 members of England Is Ours.
"It's quite possible that other members of his outreach may be able to come," Mr Taylor said.
"I understand Pastor Jones is planning some visits to nearby European countries and we will be able to go and visit him there," he added.
Pastor Luke Jones said the decision about his father was "pretty ridiculous".
"In England you have got radical Muslims demonstrating in the streets, and calling for the death of British soldiers, and nobody really does anything about that.
"Our protests are against a book, the Koran - people are not our target. We should all be able to voice our opinion in a peaceful way."
A press release issued by Stand Up America - which is organising rallies addressed by the elder Mr Jones - said the ban exemplified the sabotage of the basic human rights of freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
In December, Home Secretary Theresa May said she was "actively looking at" whether Mr Jones should be banned from entering the UK after the right-wing group English Defence League (EDL) had invited him to share his views on Islam at a rally in Luton, Bedfordshire, in February.
However the EDL later withdrew the invitation to Mr Jones. A spokesman said it was because of his critical views on homosexuality and race.