Farrakhan Permitted To Enter Britain, Judge Explains Why He Lifted 15-Year Ban

Jet, Oct 22, 2001

The British judge who earlier this year overturned a 15-year ban on Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan's visiting Britain recently said he based his decision on the fact the government did not have any evidence that his visit would cause racial tension and disrupt community relations.

Justice Michael Turner said he lifted the ban on Farrakhan's travel to Great Britain because former Home Secretary Jack Straw did not show any evidence that a visit by the Nation of Islam leader would cause a problem.

"It is simply not made out ... that there was more than a nominal risk that community relations would be likely to be endangered," Justice Turner said in his decision.

The British government has seven days to submit in writing grounds for an appeal.

Sadiq Khan, an attorney for the United Kingdom Nation of Islam, said, "If Justice Turner was setting new legal groundbreaking principles, there would be more gray area on the appeal. But he centered his decision on the facts of the case. The Court of Appeals only looks at issues of law. Their job is to make sure the law has been assessed properly, not look at the facts."

When Justice Turner first announced in July that he was overturning the ban, Minster Farrakhan stated: "We thank all of those who worked so hard to achieve this great victory. I look forward in the very near future to visiting the United Kingdom to meet with the Muslim followers of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, the wider Muslim community, as well as the people of the United Kingdom." Farrakhan also hailed the decision as "a just ruling that is 15 years overdue."