Written question asked by Douglas Carswell (Conservative) on Friday, 20 February 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 February 2009. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Thursday, 26 February 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Geert Wilders

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what powers she prohibited Mr. Geert Wilders from entering the UK.

Answer: The Secretary of State considered that in her opinion Mr. Wilders' presence in the UK would pose a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to one of the fundamental interests of society. She asked that her view be taken into account if Mr. Wilders sought admission to the UK. When Mr. Wilders attempted to enter the UK on 12 February 2009, the immigration officers who considered his entry were satisfied that his exclusion was justified on grounds of public policy and/or public security, in accordance with regulation 21 of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006. He was therefore refused admission to the UK under regulation 19 of the same regulations.

Secondary information