The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has blocked US-based anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez from entering the UK, revoking her electronic travel authorisation (ETA) on the grounds that her presence “would not be conducive to the public good”. Gomez, a self-styled Maga influencer, had been due to speak at the Unite the Kingdom far-right rally in London on 16 May, organised by Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Gomez, 26, attended the first Unite the Kingdom rally in September last year, where she warned that “rapist Muslims” were “taking over” the UK. She also addressed police officers, telling them to stop following orders while “your country is being raped into submission”. The event drew an estimated 100,000 attendees, making it the largest far-right rally of its kind in British history.
A source close to the Home Secretary said: “While we recognise the democratic right that people must be free to peacefully express their views, this does not include promoting hatred and extremist views.” The government used the same reasoning earlier this month when revoking the ETA of rapper Kanye West over antisemitic comments.
After the ban was revealed, Gomez wrote on X: “I’m coming to England on a boat. They can try to ban me, but they cannot ban the TRUTH. See you May 16th.” In an accompanying video, she racially abused Mahmood and claimed her ban was “because I’m not coming to rape or kill little girls”.
Gomez, a Christian born in Colombia, gained notoriety for burning a copy of the Qur’an in August last year and vowing to rid Texas of Islam if elected to Congress. She previously told Muslims to “fuck off to any of the 57 Muslim nations”. The Muslim Council of Britain criticised the initial ETA approval, citing double standards in how free speech is applied.
TV celebrity Sharon Osbourne has also faced backlash after her official Instagram account commented “See you at the march” on a post about the rally. Homeless charity Centrepoint has said it will cut ties with Osbourne as a result.
