Julien Blanc, the American “pick-up artist” who has been accused of promoting sexual assault, is to be banned from entering Britain, the Guardian has learned.
Blanc is believed to have been told by the Home Office that his application for a British visa has been rejected and he will not be allowed to enter the UK.
The decision by the home secretary, Theresa May, follows international criticism over his controversial dating seminars. More than 150,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Britain follow Australia’s example in cancelling his visa.
The petition says: “To allow this man into the UK legitimises sexual assault and predation, and sends a message that women are playthings or objects without agency.”
Blanc, 25, who tours the world carrying out seminars and $2,000 (£1,250) bootcamps, was due to arrive in the UK for a series of events.
His critics, who include the Home Office minister, Lynne Featherstone, and the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, say that he dresses up his seminars as dating advice but actually focuses on tricking women into having sex in order to make money. His website is called Pimping My Game.
A Home Office spokesman refused to comment on an individual case: “The home secretary has the power to exclude an individual if she considers that his or her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good or if their exclusion is justified on public policy grounds,” he said.
“It is longstanding practice that we do not comment on individual exclusion cases unless they are made public by the excluded individual. This home secretary has excluded more foreign nationals on the grounds of unacceptable behaviour than any before her.”
Blanc was forced to cut short his Australian tour last week after his visa was cancelled following protests.
