Britain has barred a Polish MEP from entering the country ahead of a far-right march
The United Kingdom has denied entry to Dominik Tarczyński, a Member of the European Parliament from the Polish Law and Justice party. The politician had planned to attend the so-called “patriotic march,” which is linked to far-right circles.
RMF24 reported this on Thursday, May 14.
Dominik Tarczyński announced on social media that he was denied entry to the UK, where he was scheduled to speak at the Unite The Kingdom March event. According to correspondence he published with British authorities, the reason for the denial was that his presence was not deemed “in the public interest.”
The Unite The Kingdom March is an anti-immigration march organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Tarchinski has previously participated in similar events, supporting their organizers. This time, he announced that in light of the London government’s decision, he intends to sue the British Prime Minister himself—Keir Starmer.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski responded to the matter: “It was the British authorities who recognized the MEP as a threat to public order. I would advise him to simply tone down his public statements, perhaps show less radicalism.”
PiS MP Paweł Jabłoński was more surprised by Sikorski’s reaction than by London’s decision regarding Tarcinski itself.
“If someone with right-wing views is denied entry to a country, aren’t we dealing with totalitarianism?” the politician asked.
“I am surprised by Mr. Sikorski’s reaction. It is his duty as Poland’s foreign minister to protect a Polish citizen. I am a member of the Sejm. Now I am wondering whether, if I travel to the United Kingdom—and I openly say that I am against illegal immigration—there will be an attempt to detain me. I will demand the intervention of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he added.
Marcin Przydacz, head of the Presidential Office for International Policy, commented on the matter in a similar vein. “The Polish minister is obligated to stand by a Polish citizen! Regardless of their views. This passport, which was not respected, has the White Eagle on its cover, Mr. Minister,” Przydacz wrote on the X platform.
He also added that while the issue currently concerns a politician, tomorrow it could affect every Polish citizen.
The UK Home Office has banned entry into the country for individuals who intended to participate in Saturday’s far-right rally in central London. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that the government would block “far-right agitators” hoping to participate in the Unite the Kingdom event scheduled for May 16. The march is being organized by Tommy Robinson.
Robinson is known for his anti-immigration and anti-Islam activities. His statements and actions have repeatedly sparked controversy both in the UK and abroad. He has been arrested and convicted multiple times for various offenses, including disorderly conduct, assault, and contempt of court.
Tarchynski has met with Robinson in the past.
Immigration became a dominant political issue in Britain last year, overshadowing concerns about the economic downturn as the country faced a record number of asylum claims.
On Tuesday, May 12, another junior member of the British government resigned and called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down as leader of the Labour Party. The decision was made after the party suffered electoral losses in last week’s elections.
Already, 41 Labour Party MPs have publicly called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down as party leader.
Earlier, Starmer spoke of growing tensions in relations with the U.S.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during which they discussed increasing pressure on the aggressor. The leaders paid particular attention to the fight against the Russian shadow fleet and London’s contributions to the PURL program to strengthen the Ukrainian army.
