Belgian ministers seek clarification over UK entry ban for far-right Flemish MP
Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) and Flemish Parliament speaker Freya Van den Bossche (Vooruit) have both requested clarification from British authorities after Flemish MP Filip Dewinter (Vlaams Belang) was denied entry to the United Kingdom.
Dewinter had planned to attend the “Unite the West” demonstration in London on Saturday, organised by British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. However, British authorities revoked his ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) visa, stating that his presence “would not be conducive to the public interest”.
Speaking in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives on Wednesday, energy minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) said Prévot, who is currently on a trade mission in Turkey, had instructed his cabinet to contact the British embassy in Brussels for an explanation.
According to Crucke, the embassy declined to comment on individual cases. “We take note of this sovereign decision,” Prévot said.
“Freedom of expression is something very precious"
The issue was also discussed during a plenary session of the Flemish Parliament. Vlaams Belang parliamentary leader Chris Janssens called the decision unacceptable, arguing that “a democratically elected member of parliament” had effectively been barred from entering the country because of his views.
Van den Bossche said she would invite the British ambassador for talks to clarify the reasons behind the decision. “Freedom of expression is something very precious. It is not in the Constitution for nothing,” she said.
“If it turns out to be merely a case of having difficulty with an opinion different from that of the ruler in a friendly country, then that is shocking, and I will also express my deep concern about it,” Van den Bossche added.
#FlandersNewsService | Filip Dewinter pictured at the plenary session of the Flemish Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on 13 May, 2026. © PHOTO WENER LEROOY
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