{"url":"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/20/anti-muslim-influencer-blocked-over-tommy-robinson-rally/","title":"Anti-Muslim Gomez barred from Robinson rally","domain":"telegraph.co.uk","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/31656842/pexels-photo-31656842.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"far-right","category":"Entertainment","language":"en","slug":"85328a59","id":"85328a59-e87a-485f-8a9d-f9dcc3d25ca1","description":"Gomez Entry Barred: US anti-Muslim influencer Valentina Gomez was denied UK entry after her electronic travel authorisation was withdrawn ahead of a Tommy ","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Gomez Entry Barred:** US anti-Muslim influencer Valentina Gomez was denied UK entry after her electronic travel authorisation was withdrawn ahead of a Tommy Robinson rally.[[1]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/20/anti-muslim-influencer-blocked-over-tommy-robinson-rally)[[2]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vl44pppn0o)\n- **Racist Attack Launched:** Gomez called Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood a \"dirty Pakistani Muslim\" in response to the ban.[[1]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/20/anti-muslim-influencer-blocked-over-tommy-robinson-rally)[[3]](https://www.facebook.com/TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/posts/valentina-gomez-calls-home-secretary-a-dirty-pakistani-muslim-after-she-was-deni/1400594545448507)\n- **Public Good Cited:** Home Office revoked approval because her presence would not be conducive to the public good, following MP backlash.[[4]](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/20/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-blocked-uk-far-right-rally)[[5]](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/anti-islam-influencer-blocked-entering-uk-far-right-rally-wbkxmvkgz)\n\n## The story at a glance\nUS-based influencer Valentina Gomez planned to speak at the Unite the Kingdom rally organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson on **16 May** in London. Home Secretary **Shabana Mahmood** withdrew her electronic travel authorisation (ETA), granted the previous week, ruling her presence \"would not be conducive to the public good\". The decision followed backlash from MPs and campaign groups; Gomez responded with a racist online attack on Mahmood.[[2]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vl44pppn0o)[[6]](https://news.sky.com/story/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-banned-from-entering-uk-13534130)\n\n## Key points\n- Valentina Gomez, a 26-year-old Colombian-born US influencer known for anti-Muslim rhetoric, including calling Muslims \"rapists\" at a prior rally.[[2]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vl44pppn0o)\n- She posted last week that her UK ETA was approved for the **Unite the Kingdom** rally on **16 May**, organised by Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon).[[6]](https://news.sky.com/story/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-banned-from-entering-uk-13534130)\n- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood intervened on Monday, revoking the ETA after complaints from MPs and groups like the Muslim Council of Britain.[[4]](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/20/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-blocked-uk-far-right-rally)\n- Official reason: Gomez's presence \"would not be conducive to the public good\", matching grounds used to bar Kanye West recently.[[7]](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-04-20/anti-islam-influencer-blocked-from-entering-uk-for-tommy-robinson-rally)\n- In response, Gomez posted a video racially abusing Mahmood as a \"dirty Pakistani Muslim\" and threatening to enter by small boat.[[1]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/20/anti-muslim-influencer-blocked-over-tommy-robinson-rally)\n- Prior Unite the Kingdom event in September 2025 drew 110,000-150,000 people; Gomez spoke there, attacking \"rapist Muslims\".[[8]](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/valentina-gomez-uk-small-boats-37049655)\n\n## Details and context\nGomez gained notoriety for stunts like burning a Quran and storming a Muslim event, aligning with MAGA politics and far-right figures like Tommy Robinson.[[9]](https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/valentina-gomez-anti-islam-uk-ban-small-boat-b2961779.html) She was initially allowed entry under the UK's ETA system for visa-exempt visitors like Americans, but the Home Secretary has power to cancel such permissions.[[5]](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/anti-islam-influencer-blocked-entering-uk-far-right-rally-wbkxmvkgz)\n\nThe ban came after an open letter from Muslim organisations highlighted double standards on hate speech, prompting swift government action.[[10]](https://www.aol.com/articles/u-k-issues-travel-ban-173446966.html) Robinson's rallies focus on anti-immigration and censorship themes; Sharon Osbourne recently lost charity ties for supporting the May event.[[5]](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/anti-islam-influencer-blocked-entering-uk-far-right-rally-wbkxmvkgz)\n\nThis mirrors earlier blocks, like a Dutch activist allied with Robinson in January 2026.[[11]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/01/14/dutch-activist-tommy-robinson-ally-ban-uk)\n\n## Key quotes\n\"Dirty Pakistani Muslim\" – Valentina Gomez on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, in a social media video after the ban.[[1]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/20/anti-muslim-influencer-blocked-over-tommy-robinson-rally)\n\n\"You either fight for this nation or you let all of these rapist Muslims and corrupt politicians take over\" – Gomez at a previous rally.[[12]](https://www.facebook.com/TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/posts/-during-a-previous-rally-she-said-you-either-fight-for-this-nation-or-you-let-al/1400183865489575)\n\n\"Would not be conducive to the public good\" – Home Office grounds for revoking Gomez's ETA.[[2]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vl44pppn0o)\n\n## Why it matters\nThe case tests UK border powers to exclude foreign extremists amid rising far-right rallies, balancing free speech against public safety risks. It affects influencers and activists planning UK events, showing quick reversals possible under political pressure. Watch whether Gomez attempts entry by boat or if the 16 May rally proceeds without her, amid potential counter-protests.\n\n## What changed\nUK initially granted Valentina Gomez an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) last week. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood withdrew it on Monday. The revocation happened after backlash from MPs and groups, ahead of the 16 May rally.[[4]](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/20/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-blocked-uk-far-right-rally)[[2]](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vl44pppn0o)\n\n## FAQ\nQ: Why was Valentina Gomez's UK entry blocked?\nA: Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revoked her electronic travel authorisation because her presence would not be conducive to the public good. The decision followed backlash from MPs and campaign groups over her anti-Muslim rhetoric. It came days after she announced plans to speak at Tommy Robinson's rally.[[4]](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/20/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-blocked-uk-far-right-rally)\n\nQ: What rally was Valentina Gomez planning to attend?\nA: She was due to speak at the Unite the Kingdom rally organised by Tommy Robinson on 16 May in London. This follows a similar event in September 2025 where she spoke. The rally opposes political censorship and mass migration.[[6]](https://news.sky.com/story/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-banned-from-entering-uk-13534130)\n\nQ: How did Valentina Gomez react to the ban?\nA: She posted a video calling Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood a \"dirty Pakistani Muslim\". Gomez claimed the ban was because she is \"not coming to rape or kill little girls\". She threatened to enter the UK by small boat anyway.[[6]](https://news.sky.com/story/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-banned-from-entering-uk-13534130)\n\nQ: Who is Shabana Mahmood in this context?\nA: Shabana Mahmood is the UK Home Secretary with authority to cancel entry permissions. She intervened after Gomez's ETA was initially approved. The same grounds were used recently to bar Kanye West.[[7]](https://www.itv.com/news/2026-04-20/anti-islam-influencer-blocked-from-entering-uk-for-tommy-robinson-rally)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[[1]](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/20/anti-muslim-influencer-blocked-over-tommy-robinson-rally)","hashtags":["#uk","#politics","#far-right","#immigration","#free-speech","#home-office"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/20/anti-muslim-influencer-blocked-over-tommy-robinson-rally/","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vl44pppn0o","title":""},{"url":"https://www.facebook.com/TELEGRAPH.CO.UK/posts/valentina-gomez-calls-home-secretary-a-dirty-pakistani-muslim-after-she-was-deni/1400594545448507","title":""},{"url":"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/20/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-blocked-uk-far-right-rally","title":""},{"url":"https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/anti-islam-influencer-blocked-entering-uk-far-right-rally-wbkxmvkgz","title":""},{"url":"https://news.sky.com/story/anti-islam-influencer-valentina-gomez-banned-from-entering-uk-13534130","title":""},{"url":"https://www.itv.com/news/2026-04-20/anti-islam-influencer-blocked-from-entering-uk-for-tommy-robinson-rally","title":""},{"url":"https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/valentina-gomez-uk-small-boats-37049655","title":""},{"url":"https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/valentina-gomez-anti-islam-uk-ban-small-boat-b2961779.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.aol.com/articles/u-k-issues-travel-ban-173446966.html","title":""}],"viewCount":3,"publishedAt":"2026-04-22T10:32:45.379Z","createdAt":"2026-04-22T10:32:45.379Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-20T00:00:00.000Z"}