Dutch lawmaker to appeal British entry ban

Feb 18, 2009, 14:20 GMT

Amsterdam - Dutch legislator Geert Wilders said Wednesday he will appeal the British entry ban imposed against him.

Speaking in the Dutch parliament, the leader of the liberal- rightist Dutch Freedom Party PVV said he would 'appeal that cowardly decision, even if it will be a long road.'

Last week the British authorities detained Wilders after arriving at Heathrow Airport in London. They subsequently returned him to the Netherlands.

Britain refused to entry to the Dutch lawmaker known for his criticism on Islam because he would allegedly pose a threat to public order.

Wilders knew about the British refusal to let him into the country, but flew to London nevertheless.

Speaking to reporters on his way to London, Wilders said he hoped the enormous media attention would force the British authorities to reconsider their decision not to allow in an elected European legislator.

Wilders had been invited to London to be present at a showing, and debate about, his 16-minute political film Fitna. The film, released in March 2008, warns of an alleged Islamization of Europe.

Addressing the Dutch parliament, Wilders said the Dutch government had urged him to protest the British entry ban after he came back.

Foreign affairs minister Maxime Verhagen told the Dutch parliament the government had done all it could on Wilders' behalf.

The government could not undertake any further action to change the minds of the British authorities, he said. 'Britain knows our viewpoint very well,' Verhagen said.

But Femke Halsema, leader of the leftist Green Party, said the government could appeal the British decision before the European Court of Justice and urged the government to do so.