The UK government has banned seven "far-right agitators" from entering the country ahead of a Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom rally scheduled for central London on Saturday.
Government Action
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood holds the authority to revoke an individual's permission to enter or remain in the country if their presence is deemed not "conducive to the public good." In a speech on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declared that ministers "will not allow people to come to the UK, threaten our communities and spread hate on our streets." Several right-wing figures who were scheduled to address the gathering have reported that their electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) were cancelled.
Valentina Gomez
Anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez was turned away last month following significant opposition from MPs and campaign groups. The US-based personality, known for provocative stunts including burning a copy of the Koran, threatened to flout the ban by travelling via small boat, suggesting Donald Trump's White House would intervene if authorities attempted to arrest her. Gomez had been lined up to speak at the rally, having attended the previous protest in September. Responding to the ban with a video posted to her X account, she announced: "I just got banned from England. Plan A is for aeroplane, and since that's no longer an option we're going to plan B, and Plan B is for boats. I'm going to hop on a boat, get free luxury accommodation, deliver my beautiful speech, and if they dare to arrest me, I guarantee you that the White House will get involved." She added: "I'm not just coming with Jesus Christ, I'm coming with current and former soldiers of the US military. If they really want to deny my entry, well, they're just going to have to stop the boats." It is understood that should Gomez attempt to enter the UK, she would face detention and deportation.
Joey Mannarino
Right-wing US commentator Joey Mannarino had his Electronic Travel Authorisation revoked last week. According to anti-extremism organisation Hope Not Hate, Mannarino was present at a Britain First gathering in Manchester last year. In an X post alongside footage of his speech, he reportedly called on the UK to "deport the parasites who are raping their way through America, Europe and the United Kingdom." He has faced accusations of misogyny, having written in a subsequently deleted post that he "will never believe a victim of rape again in my life no matter the verdict in court" following Donald Trump's civil liability ruling in a 2023 sex abuse case. He wrote on X: "The United Kingdom has decided, randomly, that I am unable to travel there any longer because my prescence (sic) is not conducive to the public good." In a further post, he added: "Do I sometimes say things that are a bit offensive? Yes, sure, I have done that and I won't stop. People are allowed to be offensive and have opinions of their own."
Ada Lluch
Far-right Spanish personality Ada Lluch also alleged that her ETA had been cancelled. She said in an X post: "What a coincidence it happened a couple of days after I privately confirmed I would attend. Call me crazy, but it certainly looks like they are trying to sabotage his rally." Spanish newspaper El Pais reports that Lluch champions "anti-woke and anti-Islam" causes and holds the view that the Franco dictatorship model is preferable to democracy. She also appeared at last year's Unite the Kingdom rally and is the former partner of Mannarino.
Eva Vlaardingerbroek
Dutch anti-immigration activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek had her right to travel to the UK revoked in January, according to The Guardian. She is reported to have promoted conspiracy theories. Vlaardingerbroek allegedly spoke at last year's rally where she said: "They are demanding the sacrifice of our children on the altar of mass migration. Let's not beat about the bush – this is the rape, replacement and murder of our people." Former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban responded to her being banned on X, saying: "You're always welcome in Hungary!"
Filip Dewinter
Belgian politician and commentator Filip Dewinter announced on Tuesday that his ETA had been revoked ahead of his scheduled appearance at the event. Dewinter serves as a member of the Flemish parliament representing the right-wing Vlaams Belang nationalist party. He said in a post on X: "I've just been banned from travelling to the UK. Freedom of speech is dead in the UK!"
The remaining two individuals barred from travelling to the UK for the rally have not yet been identified.
