Row over anti-Islam US influencer granted UK visa approval, calls out British leaders

An American far-right influencer facing criticism over anti-Islam content has stirred a row after being granted UK travel permission, ahead of a planned London rally and past videos showing her burning a Quran.Valentina Gomez, a US-based MAGA influencer who has previously been in controversy over anti-Muslim comments, has been granted a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). She is due to appear as a speaker at Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally on 16 May in central London.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.”Users on social media pointed out ETA is not a visa. It is a digital travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, allowing short visits for tourism, study, or family purposes. It is valid for two years, costs £20, and permits multiple entries. However, approval does not guarantee entry at the border, and travellers can still be refused permission to enter on arrival.Gomez is expected to address supporters at the rally organised by Tommy Robinson, another far-right activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. The event is scheduled to take place across central London locations including Kingsway, the Strand, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Square.Her planned appearance has already drawn criticism from activists and commentators, some of whom have questioned why she is being allowed to travel to the UK at all. Anti-racism campaigner Muktar Yassin said on X: “They need to keep the same energy for this unhinged bigot as they did for Kanye West.” Kanye West has faced massive backlash over his Nazi related posts on social media. Indian-origin broadcaster Narinder Kaur also commented: “You (Gomez) will be banned. We don’t let a**e wipes into the country.”Others, including journalist Ika Ferrer Gotić and analyst Albie Amankona, argued that if other high-profile figures have faced entry restrictions, Gomez should be treated in the same way.The controversy comes amid tensions over the “Unite the Kingdom” rally and a planned pro-Palestine march on the same day in London as the Gomez visit. Security concerns have also been raised due to previous clashes at similar rallies, where police reported violence including projectiles being thrown and officers being assaulted during large gatherings involving Robinson supporters.