50 arrested as Wilders' anti-Islamic film shown

Published on Friday 5 March 2010 21:49

FAR-RIGHT Dutch politician Geert Wilders sparked angry scenes outside parliament yesterday after claiming Islamism and democracy were "incompatible".

The controversial Dutchman visited London to show his anti-Islamic film Fitna at the House of Lords. About 200 members of the anti-Muslim English Defence League (EDL) marched down Millbank in support of Mr Wilders.

Demonstrators, taking part in a counter-protest, chanted "Nazi scum, off our streets" as the EDL supporters gathered outside parliament, but the two groups were kept apart by lines of police officers.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said about 50 people, mostly taking part in the counter-protest organised by the group Unite Against Fascism, were arrested.

EDL members, some of them carrying English flags, chanted: "No surrender to the Taleban."

The 46-year-old Freedom Party leader said: "Islamism and democracy are incompatible. The more Islamism we have, the more freedom we will lose, and this is something worth fighting for."

Mr Wilders also called for an end to immigration to Europe from Islamic countries, but said Muslims who agreed to obey the law of the land would be welcome to stay.

He said: "To Muslims who do stay, I would say: 'Follow our laws and you are welcome to stay'."

And he pledged that, if he were elected Dutch prime minister, he would seek to introduce a "first amendment" guaranteeing freedom of speech.

"The right of freedom of speech is especially to listen to someone who is saying something you don't want to hear," Mr Wilders said.

He attempted to enter the UK last February, but was detained after landing at Heathrow Airport and ordered back to the Netherlands three hours later.