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Banned activist Sheikh Raed Salah prompts investigation | |
(40 minutes later) | |
An investigation has been launched after a leading Palestinian activist managed to enter the UK despite being banned. | |
Home Secretary Theresa May said Sheikh Raed Salah had been excluded from the UK and the UK Border Agency was taking steps to remove him. | |
But his solicitor said Sheikh Salah had "no knowledge" of a travel ban and had not tried to conceal his identity. | |
Sheikh Salah was detained by police late on Tuesday evening. | |
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said he was the leader of a legitimate political organisation, the Islamic Movement in Israel. | |
PSC director Sarah Colborne said he rejected all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism. | |
"This is a legitimate organisation, which Israel has never moved to ban," she said. | |
"Before coming to Britain, he faced horrific allegations of anti-Semitism, which he completely refuted. | |
"He has clarified his position of being opposed to all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism against his own people, the Palestinians." | |
But Mrs May said although the government did not normally comment on individual cases, in this case it was important to do so. | But Mrs May said although the government did not normally comment on individual cases, in this case it was important to do so. |
"I can confirm he was excluded and that he managed to enter the UK. He has now been detained and the UK Border Agency is now making arrangements to remove him. | "I can confirm he was excluded and that he managed to enter the UK. He has now been detained and the UK Border Agency is now making arrangements to remove him. |
"A full investigation is now taking place into how he was able to enter." | "A full investigation is now taking place into how he was able to enter." |