Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has assessed the planned visit to the UK by the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Mohan Bhagwat, against the unacceptable behaviours criteria for exclusion; and whether the visit engages the commitment to block hate preachers and extremists from entering the UK.

Although The Home Office cannot comment on individual cases, we are committed to addressing the full range of threats we currently face as a country and tackling anyone who spreads views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities, including by excluding individuals from entering the UK.

The Home Office already has sophisticated mechanisms in place to seek out and prevent extremist individuals from entering the UK. This work operates in conjunction with existing border security and immigration frameworks. As announced in March, the Home Office is also increasing efforts to stop hate preachers and extremists from entering the UK as part of an expanded global visa taskforce. Overseas individuals of extremist concern will be identified and referred to specialist teams to take swift immigration action, including cancelling or refusing their visas or ETAs, should they attempt to travel to the UK.

All individuals seeking entry to the UK must meet the requirements of the immigration rules.

The UK’s Immigration Rules provide for the refusal of entry clearance, permission to enter and stay on general grounds (this includes criminality and on the basis that a person’s presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good).

Exclusion from the UK – decisions and orders: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK, Electronic Travel Authorisation Guidance, Grounds for refusal or cancellation of entry clearance: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK.