Dutch MP Wilders wins appeal

Geert Wilders, a member of the Party of Freedom party in the Netherlands' House of Representatives, was prevented from entering Britain on February 12th by the Home Office, which claimed he would spread hatred by showing an anti-Islam film.

He had been invited to show the film by Ukip peer Lord Pearson, who told journalists following the ban that Mr Wilders "has a right to say what he is saying". "We are disappointed by the court decision today," a Home Office spokesman said. "The government opposes extremism in all its forms.

The decision to review Geert Wilders' admission was taken on the basis his presence could have inflated tensions between our communities and led to inter-faith violence. We still maintain this view." Fitna, the film which Mr Wilders wanted to show, opens with images of the Qur'an which is followed by footage of terrorist attacks around the world.

Today's appeal win raises the possibility it could now be shown in the UK.

Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, was originally refused entry in February after arriving in London. He had been due to show his 17-minute film Fitna, which criticises the Qu'ran as a "fascist book", at the House of Lords, but was turned away at Heathrow airport.

The decision to refuse Wilders entry to the country, made by Jacqui Smith, then the home secretary, led to criticism of what was seen by some commentators as the silencing of free speech.

The ruling by the asylum and immigration tribunal means that Wilders, who is accused of Islamophobia, could now be allowed into the country.

In initially refusing Wilders access, a letter sent to the politician by the Home Office, on behalf of Jacqui Smith, said his presence "would pose a genuine, present and significantly serious threat to one of the fundamental interests of society.

The secretary of state is satisfied that your statements about Muslims and their beliefs, as expressed in the film and elsewhere, would threaten community harmony and therefore public safety in the UK."

Today a Home Office spokesman said the government was "disappointed" by the ruling. He said: "The government opposes extremism is all its forms. The decision to refuse Wilders admission was taken on the basis that his presence could have inflamed tensions between our communities and have led to inter-faith violence. We still maintain this view."