UK court upholds Zakir Naik's exclusion

Britain's high court has upheld Home secretary Theresa May's decision to bar Indian preacher Zakir Naik from entering the UK for lectures.

May excluded Dr Zakir Naik from the UK on June 16 this year for his alleged support to Islamic extremism. Naik has denied the allegation. The Home Office decision was challenged in the high court, which last week ruled that May's decision was "lawful".

Welcoming the judgement, May said, "I am pleased the court has upheld my decision to exclude Dr Naik.

An individual will be excluded if their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good". She added: "We make no apologies for refusing people access to the UK if we believe they might seek to undermine our society. Coming to the UK is a privilege not a right and we are not willing to allow those who might not be conducive to the public good to enter the UK. Exclusion powers are very serious and no decision is taken lightly."

Official sources said the Home Office will be seeking its legal costs from the other side.