Posted on 06/19/2008 6:36:48 PM PDT by blam
Martha Stewart refused entry to the UK
By Christopher Hope Home Affairs Editor and Alex Spillius in Washington
Last Updated: 2:16AM BST 20/06/2008
Martha Stewart has been refused a visa to Britain because of her criminal convictions for obstructing justice, the Daily Telegraph has learned.
Martha Stewart leaves the Federl court during her trial in 2004
The lifestyle guru, convicted four years ago in the US for obstructing justice, was planning to speak at the Royal Academy and to hold meetings with several figures in the fashion and leisure industry, including Jasper Conran, and was due to travel within the next few days.
The refusal by the UK Border Agency was sent to Ms Stewart, aged 66. A spokesperson for the business magnate said: "Martha loves England and hopes this can be resolved and that she will be able to visit soon."
She added that Ms Stewart has many friends in Britain, which she has visited numerous times.
A cook, designer and publisher, Ms Stewart was once called "the definitive American woman of our time" and once collaborated with Wedgwood on a range of crockery.
A British government official called the decision "an own goal" given the transatlantic business and goodwill her visit could generate.
"It is a bit silly given some of the other people allowed into the country," the official added.
It was not clear if Ms Stewart had been singled out or was a victim of a blanket rule imposed by the new agency. In 2004 she served five months in prison for lying to federal agents investigating the sale of shares shortly before they fell sharply in value.
The UK Border Agency said it would not comment on individual cases. A spokesman added: "We continue to oppose the entry to the UK of individuals where we believe their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good or where they have been found guilty of serious criminal offences abroad."
crockery!
Say, isn’t there a certain convicted perjurer let in there from time to time?
I have absolutely no problem with this.But I do hope that this means we won’t be seeing “Boy George” or Lady Elton John (both convicted criminals) darkening our shores again.
lol!
How Effin’ funny is this?!
I don’t like her but this is stupid.
Proven? Yes
Convicted? No
Ummm, your name takes the cake! :-)
a lol bump!
if she had her head covered up
like the moslems in london,
maybe they’d let her in.
/s
Martha, my suggestion is you put on a burqa and they will roll out the red carpet.
Of course it's not stupid.Every sovereign,civilized country has the right (and the duty to its citizens) to exclude aliens from entering that they deem "undesirable" and using criminal convictions as a yardstick to determine undesirability is as good as any way.
I’m somewhat confused. I’ve visited England numerous times and never needed a visa. I guess she sought an advisory opinion instead of just getting off the plane and walking through the line.
Britain refuses to let in Martha but they let in radical Mulsims who chant Jihad in the streets of London.
Glad you like it.My profile page contains a brief explanation of its origin if you're curious.
I could be wrong but didn’t the UK admit Tyson and Billy Clinton?
I thought Bill Clinton pleaded guilty for perjury... isn't that the same as being convicted?
You're probably right about her asking in advance.And as for your not needing a visa...a British Immigration Officer at whatever airport you landed at could deny you entry if,for any reason,he/she determined that you were not fit to enter.It almost happened to me in South Africa.An immigration officer copped an attitude with me (perhaps he didn't like Americans) and I copped one back.He threatened to put me on the next plane back to the US...but didn't.
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