Seven people barred from coming to UK for far-right rally

Seven people hoping to attend a far-right rally in central London on Saturday have been blocked from entering the country by the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood . Keir Starmer, the prime minister, promised on Monday to block “far-right agitators” hoping to attend the Unite the Kingdom event on 16 May organised by Tommy Robinson , whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Joey Mannarino, a US-based commentator, and Valentina Gomez , a Maga influencer, had their authorisation to enter the UK withdrawn on the grounds that their presence “would not be conducive to the public good”. The identities of the other five banned people are not known. Joey Mannarino, who has been barred from entering the UK, speaking to a Britain First rally in Manchester last August. Photograph: Peter Powell/AFP/ In a speech aimed at resetting his premiership , Starmer said he would ban extremists from coming to Britain to speak at the nationalist march on Saturday. “This is nothing less than a battle for the soul of our nation,” he added. An estimated 100,000 people attended last year’s nationalist event, thought to be the largest far-right rally of its type in British history. The event was addressed remotely by Elon Musk, who was condemned by Downing Street for using “dangerous and inflammatory” language. Valentina Gomez, who is also banned, speaking at the Unite the Kingdom rally in London last September. …