Met chief attacks end of ban on Farrakhan

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The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, was critical yesterday of a High Court decision to lift a ban on visits to Britain by the American black separatist leader Louis Farrakhan.

He said the judge's ruling, which raised the prospect of an imminent trip to London by Mr Farrakhan, was "unfortunate", especially at a time of international crisis after the attacks on New York and Washington.

Sir John told BBC London: "I don't welcome him coming to London. I believe it's an unfortunate decision made by the courts. However, we have to live with that. I don't think it's a good time for him to be coming to London, quite frankly."

Earlier, Mr Justice Tanner had said there was a "complete absence of evidence" of tension between Jews and black Muslims in this country, which reduced the chances that Mr Farrakhan would be able to exploit racial differences.

He said the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, had failed to establish "objective justification" for excluding the Nation of Islam leader over fears that he would cause disorder by making anti-Semitic statements.

Mr Blunkett, who was told to reconsider his decision, said he was "astonished" by the ruling, and that he would appeal. "It is my responsibility to ensure that people who are likely to be a threat to public order in this country are excluded," he said. "I continue to think that Mr Farrakhan, were he to come here, would be a threat to public order."

In a 37-page ruling, Mr Justice Turner said Britain had "a long and cherished reputation for respect for the freedom of speech". He said that in recent times Mr Farrakhan had "endeavoured to follow a path of reconciliation between Jews and black Muslims, as well as teaching the latter the virtues of self-discipline and respect". The Home Secretary had failed to prove that there was "more than a nominal risk" that community relations would be endangered by Mr Farrakhan's presence, he said.

The judge was not saying that Mr Farrakhan should be allowed to come to Britain, merely that the Home Secretary should reconsider the ban. Mr Justice Turner said: "There is a complete absence of evidence before the court of racial, religious or ethnic tension between the black Muslim and Jewish communities in the United Kingdom existing at the date of the decision letter."

Mr Farrakhan, who is 67 and has cancer, has been excluded from visiting Britain since 1986.Mr Farrakhan's lawyers argued at a hearing in July that the government ban was a breach of human rights and against common law.

Outside court yesterday, Mr Farrakhan's solicitor, Sadiq Khan, said that the Nation of Islam leader had visited countries as diverse as South Africa, Palestine, Israel, Australia and Bermuda without any problems.