Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders arrives in the UK
- 00:02:00
- ITN
Controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders arrives in the UK
A crowd of Muslim protesters has chanted angrily close to the place where a controversial right-wing Dutch MP delivered a speech attacking Islam. Geert Wilders, the leader of the Freedom Party in the Netherlands, arrived in Britain after winning his appeal against the Government's decision to refuse him entry. Mr Wilders told a press conference he had nothing against individual Muslims, but said: "I have a problem with the Islamic ideology, the Islamic culture, because I feel that the more Islam that we get in our societies the less freedom that we get." A group of about 40 demonstrators gathered near the Houses of Parliament, brandishing banners saying "Shariah is the solution, freedom go to hell" and "Geert Wilders deserves Islamic punishment". Abu Muaz from Islam For UK said: "If I were to say some of the things he has said I would be arrested under the Terrorism Act. But because there is a war on Muslims he gets an easy ride." Mr Wilders was denied entry to Britain in February by former home secretary Jacqui Smith but the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal overturned the decision and her successor Alan Johnson said he was "not minded" to recommend refusal a second time. Lord Pearson, the UKIP peer who invited Mr Wilders to Britain, said his arrival was "a celebration of the victory of freedom of speech over those who would prevent it in this country, particularly the Islamists, the violent Jihadists who are on the march across the world and in the UK".
ITN | October 16, 2009
