Voltaire and Geert Wilders

This country used to pride itself on freedom of worship, and of freedom of speech within the law.

Subject to the law of libel, and that it is and should be illegal to incite people to violence or other criminal activity, our attitude to the expression of views we dislike, no matter how abhorrent, should be the famous comment usually attributed to Voltaire:

"I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Those who have committed murder or incited others to violence in the name of Islam do not represent the majority of muslims in this country and mainstream Islamic leaders have issued a fatwa making clear that such views and actions are haram and against the teachings of their religion.

The majority of muslims should not be denied the right to worship as they choose because the actions of a depraved minority.

Therefore I strongly reject the views attributed to Dutch MP Geert Wilders who apparently wanted to come here and argue for the banning of the Koran.

But rejecting his views is one thing, and preventing him from expressing them is another. Banning an elected politician from another EU country from coming here to express his or her views is not something which should be done lightly.

The Home Office refused to allow Mr Wilders to attend a meeting at the House of Lords, arguing that his presence in the UK would threaten public order. If they have evidence for that view, they would be wise to publish it. It is important that rules for entry ito the UK should be applied in a clear, transparent, and consistent way.

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