Labour bans 'far-right' commentators from Britain so they can't 'intimidate this diverse country'

Labour has banned seven right-wing commentators from setting foot in Britain ahead of Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom rally on Saturday.

The outspoken critics of mass migration were barred from entering the country after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood decided their presence was “not conducive to the public good”.

Those banned include former Republican Party candidate Valentina Gomez, US political strategist Joey Mannarino, Spanish influencer Ada Lluch and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.

All of them have had their electronic travel authorisations either cancelled or refused by the Home Office.

On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer launched a scathing attack on this weekend's planned rally, declaring it was "designed to confront and intimidate this diverse city and this diverse country".

The Prime Minister said: "That is why this Government will block far-right agitators from travelling into Britain for that event.

"Because we will not allow people to come to the UK, threaten our communities, and spread hate on our streets."

He added: "This is nothing less than a battle for the soul of our nation."

On social media, Mr Mannarino blasted Sir Keir over the decision to bar him from Britain, accusing the PM of being "afraid of diversity of opinion".

"Why does the presence of free speech bother him so deeply?" he added.

Ms Gomez - who spoke at last year's Unite the Kingdom rally - had her visa to enter Britain terminated last month, despite having already secured clearance.

Addressing the large crowd, the Colombian-born influencer claimed "rapist Muslims" were "taking over" the country, before urging Britons to "fight for this nation".

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Ms Gomez has since threatened to defy the Home Secretary and travel by small boat, daring the Government to stop her while suggesting Donald Trump’s White House would intervene if the authorities try to arrest her.

Meanwhile, Ms Vlaardingerbroek - a former member of the Dutch Forum for Democracy political party - had her visa revoked by the Home Office in January.

The decision sparked a free speech row with the Trump administration - which has frequently hit out at European leaders over their alleged suppression of free speech.

Under-Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers said: "Countries have been banning and restricting visas on opaque, frivolous viewpoint bases for a long time... media and commentators who were silent or approving of these decisions now fault Trump admin policies."

Like Ms Gomez, the Dutch activist also spoke at last year's Unite the Kingdom rally, which is believed to have been attended by up to 150,000 people.

She used her platform in September to call for the "remigration" of immigrants and to talk about the "replacement of our people".

Robinson has described Saturday's rally as a “beautiful celebration of British identity", urging supporters on social media to be on their "best behaviour".

It falls on the same day as the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley and a planned pro-Palestine demonstration to mark Nakba Day.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley previously said he was “concerned” about the scale of the protests, with his force vowing to impose strict conditions on on routes and gathering points to avoid serious disorder.

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