Koran-burning US pastor banned from entering UK

Controversial US pastor Terry Jones has been barred from entering the UK for the public good UK as the government "opposes extremism in all its forms.”

The pastor, who last year planned a Koran-burning protest in the US, had originally been invited to address right-wing group England Is Ours in Milton Keynes – but was barred from entry into the UK by the Home Office.

"Numerous comments made by Pastor Jones are evidence of his unacceptable behaviour,” a Home Office spokesperson said. "Coming to the UK is a privilege not a right and we are not willing to allow entry to those whose presence is not conducive to the public good.The use of exclusion powers is very serious and no decision is taken lightly or as a method of stopping open debate."

Jones told BBC Radio 5 live he would challenge the "unfair" decision and his visit could have been "beneficial".  He maintained that he is “not against Muslims, we are not against their religion," adding that "we have, here in the West, freedom of religion and limited freedom of speech which we don't have in their countries.”

He also maintained that the ban was also unfair on a "human basis" because his daughter lived in England and his grandchildren were English.

"What I am against is the radical element. If I came to England we would expect Muslims to rally with us," he said.

Jones had accepted an invitation to speak to ‘England Is Ours’ in February, and was due to address demonstrations against the expansion of Islam and the construction of mosques in the UK. Secretary of ‘England Is Ours’ Barry Taylor said he was "very disappointed" by the decision.

"The idea isn't to cause trouble or kick up a stink. These things do need addressing and people do need to speak about them. We shouldn't be frightened about them," he maintained.

In December, Home Secretary Theresa May said she was "actively looking at" whether Jones should be banned from entering the UK after the right-wing English Defence League (EDL) had invited him to share his views on Islam at a rally in Luton in February.

However the EDL later withdrew the invitation to Jones, adding that it was because of Jones’ critical views on homosexuality and race.

The pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, which has fewer than 50 members, Jones came to prominence last September when he announced plans for his "International Burn a Koran Day" on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

His plan was internationally condemned and sparked many demonstrations around the world before he eventually called off his protest.