The Independent Press Gallery condemns the government of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for reportedly revoking or denying travel authorization to at least eight foreign journalists, commentators and political figures ahead of this weekend’s Tommy Robinson rally in London.
Those reportedly banned by the UK Home Office under Shabana Mahmood include:
– Ezra Levant
– Avi Yemini
– Joey Mannarino
– Valentina Gomez
– Eva Vlaardingerbroek
– Filip Dewinter
– Dominik Tarczyński
– Ada Lluch
– Don Keith
According to reports, officials claimed the individuals’ presence in the UK would “not be conducive to the public good.”
Particularly alarming is the reported revocation of Yemini’s previously approved ETA despite reports he had no plans to attend the rally, no flights booked, and no public travel plans.
The bans come just months after Starmer defended Britain’s commitment to free speech during an Oval Office appearance with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, declaring: “We’ve had free speech for a very, very long time in the United Kingdom, and it will last for a very, very long time,” and adding, “I’m very proud of our history there.”
The Independent Press Gallery warns that using immigration powers to blacklist journalists and political commentators over their views or associations is an abuse of state authority incompatible with a free society.
The IPG is calling on the Starmer government to disclose the legal and evidentiary basis for these bans and to stop using opaque administrative powers to restrict press freedom and political expression.
Media Contact:
Sheila Gunn Reid
President, Independent Press Gallery
info@independentpressgallery.ca