Petr Bystron, an MEP for the AfD party, is reportedly barred from entering Great Britain. The ban comes after his application for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) was rejected by the British Visa and Immigration Authority, which is part of the Home Office. The rejection notice stated that the authorities were “convinced that your stay in the United Kingdom is not beneficial to the public good”.
Bystron was scheduled to speak at a large demonstration organized by the well-known far-right and anti-Islam activist, Tommy Robinson. However, on Thursday, the UK agency informed him in writing of the refusal.
Reacting strongly to the decision on Friday, Bystron called the ruling a “bankruptcy declaration”. He asserted that the government, specifically naming the Starmer administration, is “panicking” and “at the end” suggesting that the imposition of entry bans for European politicians intending to speak at a protest shows a fear of the truth.
This ban means Bystron joins several other right-wing politicians and activists who have been denied entry before the demonstration. Previously confirmed names include two other MEPs: Dominik Tarczynski, from Poland’s PiS party, and Filip Dewinter, from Belgium’s Vlaams Belang party.