The UK home secretary Theresa May has informed Sky News that she is “actively” considering preventing US pastor Terry Jones from entering the country.
Jones became globally infamous a few months earlier when he announced plans for his small church to hold a ‘Burn a Koran’ day to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Jones came under such severe worldwide pressure that he eventually backed down from these plans.
Jones intends to enter Britain to speak at a rally "against the evils and destructiveness of Islam". The rally will be hosted by the far right group the English Defence League (EDL) in Luton, southeastern England, on Feb. 5.
May told Sky News that, "Of course the home secretary has the right to exclude people who are not conducive to public good or on national security grounds. It wasn't clear that he [Jones] was definitely coming to the UK but if it is now clear that he's definitely coming to the UK, then of course this is a case that I will be actively looking at."
Jones had earlier informed Sky, "As we have tried to relay many times, we are by no means against Muslims. What we are against is Sharia law and Muslims not willing to submit to the constitution."
According to the EDL, Jones personally requested to be invited to attend one of the group's gatherings.
"Pastor Terry Jones contacted me personally to ask if he could attend our demonstration," EDL leader Tommy Robinson said. "He wants to speak about the evils of Islam at the protest. It is a medieval religion."
Jones was at pains to insist that he would not be part of any trouble during his visit.
"I would by no means advocate something that would cause a riot or disturbance," he said.