British High Court Orders Reconsideration of Ban of Louis Farrakhan

Associated Press/October 1, 2001

Great Britain's High Court says the British government must reconsider its long-standing refusal to allow Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan to visit the country.

But Justice Michael Turner says his ruling will be delayed until the government has a chance to appeal. In the meantime, Farrakhan remains barred from entering Britain.

Farrakhan -- who lives in Chicago -- had appealed a November 20th decision to maintain the 15-year ban on allowing him into Britain. Turner says the failed to establish a justification for its decision.

British Home Secretary David Blunkett says he's "astonished" by the ruling and says the government will appeal. Blunkett says he believes Farrakhan would be, in his words, "a threat to public order" if he visited England.