There are growing calls to ban far-right Colombia-born MAGA agitator Valentina Gomez from entering the UK, with critics highlighting what they see as double standards compared to the treatment of Kanye West.
Gomez, widely criticised for her incendiary remarks about Muslims and minorities, has sparked concern after reportedly being granted a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country for an event.
By contrast, Kanye West was previously barred from travelling to the UK after backlash over past antisemitic comments.
Campaigners are now calling for similar action against Gomez over her very current Islamophobic rhetoric.
She is expected to appear at Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally in London this May, which commentators expect will provide a platform for a cadre of Anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant personalities.
Gomez — herself a Colombian immigrant to the US — spoke at the group’s previous event in September, which saw some clashes between the police and attendees. Critics noted that the rally appeared less a celebration of British identity and more a platform for a hotchpotch of random far-right figures who had little knowledge of Britain but shared hostility toward Islam and Muslims.
In a post on X, Gomez wrote: “VISA APPROVED. See you on 16 May in England. Keir Starmer, Shabana Mahmood and the UK Home Office, you’re only good at protecting Muslim rape gangs. Try to arrest me and see what happens. England belongs to the English. Not the Mohameds.”
An ETA does not guarantee entry into the UK as border officials retain the power to refuse admission.
Gomez’s attention-seeking social media posts have included burning a copy of the Quran with a flamethrower and a mock execution of a hooded immigrant effigy.
She appears to be unpopular even in the US, where she has complained that recently the Texas Republicans have barred her from party events.
“Clear double standards in how freedom of speech is applied”
The Muslim Council of Britain has written to the Home Secretary raising concerns over what it described as double standards.
Allowing Gomez entry will show “clear double standards in how freedom of speech is applied,” says the letter.
“Others have been denied entry to the UK for rhetoric directed at different faith groups. The inconsistency raises serious concerns about whose speech is deemed unacceptable and whose is permitted,” adds the letter.
“Allowing Valentina Gomez access to the UK in order to speak on such a public platform grants her legitimacy and sends a troubling message about the selective application of Home Office standards.”
MP Ayoub Khan also raised the issue on X, warning that the government would “show how hypocritical they are” if they fail to act, given the banning of West. He said in the video that he will raise the issue in parliament this week.
Another MP Adnan Hussain wrote a letter to the Home Secretary, urging her to “review decision to allow Valentina Gomez entry into UK to spew her hatred towards Britain’s Muslim community.”
The best reaction on social media
Social media users have echoed similar concerns about double standards, with many also pointing out the irony of a Colombian immigrant to the US telling people in England what it means to be English.
