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."
Yes,he did lose his law license for a period of time but what I can find suggests that the loss of his license was the result of a purely "administrative" process by the Arkansas Bar and had nothing to do with any guilty pleas or guilty verdicts.
This is from Wikipedia (admittedly,a less than completely unbiased source of info)
In a separate case, Clinton was ordered to pay $25,000 in fines to Arkansas state's bar officials and his Arkansas law license was suspended for five years. [73] The agreement came on the condition that Whitewater prosecutors would not pursue federal perjury charges against him.[74] Clinton was suspended by the Supreme Court in October 2001, and, facing disbarment from that court, Clinton resigned from the Supreme Court bar in November.[75]
Meet the "friends of Angelo."
She has a record beyond the trading fiasco. Her husband had a restraining order on her that he kept renewing. And she she purposefully drove over her neighbor’s gardener because she didn’t like what he did to their border. She’s okay if she gets her way, otherwise be warned.
Paul McCartney?
Gardener or garden?
ner.
I've been going there every year for the past few years and haven't needed a visa. They do tend to ask a few questions at Immigration, though. More than what I get in most countries.
No complaints, though.
On the Heathrow/Kuwait Express? Instant culture shock, I'll bet.
Usually what I get is, "how long will you be staying?", then some polite equivalent of "see-ya".
England is straining at gnats and swallowing camels.
Yet England keeps importing Muslims. Muslimization of the US continues. Bush supports Clinton's views on Kosovo.
The only information I had was that she simply covered up on insider information. I was a little surprised to read about her driving.
I remember the late Johnny Stompanato, being kicked out of England, when the authorities heard he abused and hit Lana Turner. She was making a film there. This I absolutely agreed with, but felt there was something else. Johnny "Stompo" did not take a lesson from this, as we all know. (chuckle).
Don't forget stockbroker. She knew exactly what she was doing when she had her e-mail files deleted.
Most insider traders end up in jail for 10-20 years.
I agree with you mate. Funny thing is that its so discrecionary, blocking Martha Stewart but letting in blokes like Tyson...
Im not arguing about a little leeway given to certain people, but the UK should say this, and make it clear its not a blanket ban to one and all with a record, cos its not!
payback for Lilly Allen.
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