Anti-fascism campaigners oppose Geert Wilders who says he hates Islamism - not Muslims

Wilders’ film “inflammatory and anti-Muslim”

Protestors from Unite Against Fascism gathered outside the Houses of Parliament to demonstrate against a march in support of Mr Wilders by the English Defence League.

Paul Machney, co-founder of UAF, said, “Wilders is not welcome here. He should be banned from coming here. I think Islamophobia leads to fascism.”

Meanwhile Peter Hain, the Secretary of State for Wales, signed an open letter which described Mr Wilders’ film as “inflammatory and anti-Muslim”.

He also spoke out against the march by the English Defence League in support of Mr Wilders saying, “The English Defence League, together with their allies the BNP, represent a racist and fascist threat – not just to Muslims but to our Black, Asian and Jewish citizens too. I hope there will be a big mobilisation to oppose their march on Parliament."

A spokesperson for the Home Office said, “The Government regrets the decision by Baroness Cox and Lord Pearson to invite Geert Wilders to the House of Lords for a private showing of his film Fitna. However we currently have no reason to deny Mr Wilders admission to the UK.”

“The Government continues to oppose extremism in all its forms and retains the right to refuse foreign nationals, including European Union citizens access to the UK if we believe they represent a threat to security or our society.”

“The behaviour of foreign nationals while in the UK will be taken into consideration when considering granting access to the country in the future.”

However Lord Pearson of Rannoch, who originally invited Mr Wilders to show his film and subsequently became leader of UKIP, said Mr Wilders was, “a very brave man” and added, “Geert is going to the House of Lords in a bullet proof car. You should ask yourselves why.” However he also said that he did not agree with everything Mr Wilders said.

Baroness Cox also said that today was “an important day for freedom of speech”.