‘Antisemitic’ conspiracy theorist David Icke banned from most of Europe

English conspiracy theorist David Icke has been banned from most of Europe for at least two years after Dutch authorities denied him entry because they deemed him to be a risk to public order.

Amsterdam’s mayor recently asked the country’s prosecutor to ban entry to Icke, accusing the former footballer of making “antisemitic and hurtful statements”.

Icke has been peddling conspiracies for decades – most recently claiming that a Jewish group was involved in the spread of Covid-19 – and has been banned from Facebook and Twitter for his remarks.

He reported the ban on his own website, saying he had been sent a letter from Dutch authorities, before explaining that it extends to the European Union’s visa-free Schengen area. This means that he is now banned from 25 other countries.

Dutch Justice Minister Dilan Yeilgöz-Zegerius said freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate were fundamental rights, but added: “They are not limitless.”

Icke, who led anti-lockdown rallies in London during the pandemic, has faced foreign entry bans in the past, with Australia declaring him to be persona non grata in 2019 ahead of a planned speaking tour down under.