Anti-Muslim preacher lashes out at UK ban

By ian Dunt

The preacher who prompted outrage across the world when he threatened to burn a Koran on the anniversary of September 11th has hit out at his ban from the UK.

Pastor Terry Jones was prevented from coming to the country by the Home Office, in the latest in a string of controversial bans on right-wing American political figures which has led to accusations of censorship against the British government.

"I have no intention of doing anything against British law," Mr Terry told Sky News.

"We feel this is definitely against constitutional rights to travel, freedom of speech. We believe that our visit there could be beneficial.

"I feel this ban is very unfair."

The pastor said he had a daughter and grandchildren in the country, so the ban harmed his personal life as well.

"The government opposes extremism in all its forms which is why we have excluded Pastor Terry Jones from the UK," the Home Office said.

"Numerous comments made by Pastor Jones are evidence of his unacceptable behaviour.

"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."

The pastor was due to speak at an event called England Is Ours next month.

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