‘Anti-Islam’ influence Valentina Gomez blocked from entering UK

LONDON: The UK government has barred US-based ‘anti-Islam’ influencer Valentina Gomez from entering the country ahead of a far-right rally in London, revoking her travel authorisation on public interest grounds.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood intervened to cancel Gomez’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA), despite it having been approved days earlier. Officials said her presence “would not be conducive to the public good,” according to UK media reports.

Gomez had been scheduled to speak at the “Unite the Kingdom” rally on May 16, organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The event follows a similar gathering in September, where Gomez appeared alongside Robinson and delivered inflammatory remarks targeting Muslims.

The decision mirrors a recent move by British authorities to deny entry to rapper Kanye West, whose ETA was withdrawn earlier this month over concerns about antisemitic and extremist statements.

A source close to Mahmood said the government supports freedom of expression but draws a line at rhetoric that promotes hatred or extremism. “This does not include promoting hatred and extremist views,” the source said.

Pressure had been mounting on the Home Office to act. Crossbench peer Shaista Gohir had publicly called for Gomez to be denied entry, urging authorities to apply consistent standards.

The previous Unite the Kingdom rally drew tens of thousands of attendees and featured a range of controversial speakers. Tech billionaire Elon Musk also addressed the event remotely, prompting criticism from Downing Street over what it described as “dangerous and inflammatory” language.