An anti-Islam influencer has been barred from entering the UK by the home secretary, following a significant backlash from MPs and campaign groups.
Valentina Gomez earlier claimed on the social media site X, formerly Twitter, that she had secured a UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
She was scheduled to speak at the Unite the Kingdom rally, organised by Tommy Robinson, in May.
However, it is understood that the government intervened, saying that Ms Gomez’s presence would not be conducive to the public good.
The justification mirrors the reason given earlier this month for blocking rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, from entering the UK to play at a festival.
The “Gold Digger” and “Heartless” rapper has faced accusations of antisemitism and used Nazi imagery.
It is understood that Ms Gomez was excluded on the grounds that the democratic right to expression does not extend to promoting hatred and extremism.
The home secretary possesses the authority to revoke an individual’s permission to enter or remain in the UK.
Ms Gomez, who is based in the US, gained notoriety for a series of anti-Islam stunts during her failed run as a Republican candidate for Missouri secretary of state.
She burned a copy of the Quran and vowed to eradicate the religion from Texas if she held power.
“Your daughters will be raped and your sons beheaded, unless we stop Islam once and for all,” said Gomez before setting fire to a copy of the holy book in a video.
“America is a Christian nation, so those terrorist Muslims can f*** off to any of the 57 Muslim nations. There is only one true God, and that is the God of Israel.”
In a related development last week, homelessness charity Centrepoint severed ties with Sharon Osbourne after she voiced support for the Unite the Kingdom rally, scheduled for 16 May.
A Centrepoint spokesperson said the charity has “no plans” to work with Ms Osbourne in the future.
“Political activity like this runs counter to our values and our long history of supporting young people regardless of their background, religion or ethnicity,” the statement read.
A previous protest in September, where Ms Gomez is said to have spoken, attracted an estimated 110,000 to 150,000 attendees.
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