Home Secretary Theresa May hinted yesterday that she might ban racist US pastor Terry Jones from entering Britain following an invitation from the far-right English Defence League (EDL).
Mr Jones, who was widely condemned when he threatened to burn the Koran on the anniversary of the September 11 2001 terror attacks, is due to address an EDL rally in Luton on February 5.
He plans to preach "against the evils and destructiveness of Islam" to EDL supporters.
Ms May is thought to be "actively" considering whether to ban the Islamophobic US pastor from entering Britain.
"Pastor Terry Jones has been on my radar for a few months now," she said.
"It wasn't clear that he was definitely coming to the UK but if it is now clear that he's definitely coming to the UK, then of course this is a case that I will be actively looking at."
Anti-fascist campaigners reacted with outrage to the possibility of Pastor Jones's visit.
Hope Not Hate director Nick Lowles condemned the invitation and launched a petition calling for Mr Jones to be banned from Britain.
"Pastor Jones should not be allowed to set foot in the United Kingdom.
"Only extremists will benefit from his visit and, as we know, extremism breeds hatred and hatred breeds violence," he said.
"It is yet another example of how the EDL exists only to sow the seeds of intimidation and division."
Joint national secretary of Unite Against Fascism Weyman Bennett accused Mr Jones of coming to Britain to "whip up Islamophobia and racism."
He said: "We intend on calling a mass demonstration where everyone can oppose the growth of racism and fascism in this country."
A statement on Mr Jones's website revealed that he was to address the EDL rally.
It read: "During the protest, Dr Terry Jones will speak against the evils and destructiveness of Islam in support of the continued fight against the Islamification of England and Europe."
But Mr Jones denied he wanted to increase racial tension in Britain, adding: "I would by no means advocate something, preach something, speak something that will cause that type of riot or disturbance."
Please forward this draft letter to thHome Secretary
Dear Home Secretary,
In early February the Florida-based Pastor Terry Jones intends to
travel to the United Kingdom to address an English Defence League
rally in Luton. His anti-Muslim views made international news in early
autumn when he proposed making the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist
attack an “International Burn a Koran Day”. This brought international
condemnation and eventually he was forced to back down.
Now Pastor Jones wants to give a speech attacking Islam at an EDL
rally in Luton. The EDL emerged in Luton in May 2009 and its first
demonstration ended with 250 people going on the rampage through a
predominantly Asian area of the town. Since then it has become a
national organisation and is the single biggest threat to social
cohesion in this country today.
Pastor Terry Jones’s presence in Luton will be incendiary and highly
dangerous. He will attract and encourage thousands of EDL supporters
to take to the streets, and cause concern and fear among Muslims
across the country. Only extremists will benefit from his visit and,
as we know, extremism breeds hatred and hatred breeds violence. For
these reasons we are asking you to prevent Pastor Terry Jones from
entering the UK.
Yours sincerely
