'Hate' preachers facing UK ban

12 April 2012

Preachers of hate will face tougher legal obstacles to entering the UK in future, Jacqui Smith said as she announced plans to publish names of radicals banned from the country.

The Home Secretary said extremists will have to prove their innocence under new rules which are aimed at tackling radical Islamists, neo-Nazis and violent animal rights activists.

Currently the burden of proof rests with the Government, which has banned 230 individuals since 2005, including firebrand cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed who ran the radical group Al-Muhajiroun.

Ms Smith said: "Through these tough new measures I will stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country.

"Coming to the UK is a privilege and I refuse to extend that privilege to individuals who abuse our standards and values to undermine our way of life. "

Changes to the rules, which will not require new legislation, would make it more difficult for extremists to get in to Britain, she said.

Bans could apply to individuals and their families and there would be a "presumption" that those banned would be named.

Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve said: "This announcement is more spin than substance.

"The real issue is preventing extremists from coming here, not advertising it after the event.

"If the Home Secretary is at last committed to applying the powers she has, robustly and consistently, then we welcome it, but why has it taken this government so long?"

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