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Proceeding contribution from Lord West of Spithead (Labour) in the House of Lords on Thursday, 12 February 2009. It occurred during Private notice question on Geert Wilders.


Geert Wilders

My Lords, the Government and I are great believers in freedom of expression. Indeed, I am constantly getting into trouble because I am too free with my expressions at times. But the decision was not based purely on the film ““Fitna””, but also on a range of factors, including prosecution in the Netherlands for incitement and discrimination, and other statements. The Home Secretary has to make a decision, as was said, on anyone coming in if they are a threat to public policy or public security in particular. We are constantly looking at this and are very robust about it with all sorts of extremists, from whichever corner they come. I regularly, across my desk, have to give advice to the Home Secretary about stopping people coming into this country, because I do not think it is appropriate that they should be here. I think it is good that we are being robust about this, and absolutely appropriate that the Home Secretary should have made this decision.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
707 c1232-3 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Immigration controls Politicians Netherlands Wilders, Geert
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk