# M. Jackson potentially denied entry by English immigration. Could this really happen? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 20, 2003, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-jackson-potentially-denied-entry-by-english-immigration-could-this-really-happen/220149 "2003-12-20T08:31:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-jackson-potentially-denied-entry-by-english-immigration-could-this-really-happen/220149/1 "2003-12-20T08:31:28Z")
[Per this story](http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003583509,00.html) Is momentum in England really building to have this done, or is this just tabloid fodder? > [@](#): > > By MARTIN WALLACE > > A STORM of protest erupted yesterday over revelations that shamed pop star Michael Jackson is to spend Christmas in Britain. > > And The Sun is today leading calls from all over the country to BAN the suspected paedophile from entering the UK. Jacko, who is facing nine child sex abuse charges, has been given permission by US authorities to visit Britain from today until January 6. > > But he is planning a party at his Neverland ranch in California this afternoon and is not expected to jet in until tomorrow at the earliest. We are demanding he be refused entry by immigration officials. > > And our call is being supported by a string of politicians and campaigners against child abuse. Des Turner, Labour MP for Brighton, said: “Britain needs to send out the clearest message to paedophiles that their crimes are evil and unacceptable. > > “I would like to see him barred until the charges against him are resolved.” ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-jackson-potentially-denied-entry-by-english-immigration-could-this-really-happen/220149/2 "2003-12-20T11:23:41Z")
Of course, it could happen. Any country can deny anybody entry at any time for any reason. Whether there is actually public outcry for it, though, I dunno. BTW, it’s _British_ immigration, not English. ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-jackson-potentially-denied-entry-by-english-immigration-could-this-really-happen/220149/3 "2003-12-20T11:44:05Z")
A few more reliable sources agree that Jackson may be refused entry at this time: [Guardian](http://www.guardian.co.uk/leaders/story/0,3604,1110794,00.html) [BBC](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/3334161.stm) [Daily Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2003%2F12%2F20%2Fwjack20.xml&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=5744) (registration site, but mentions that another Labour MP, Mark Tami, has asked for a ban). I don’t see crowds of people picketing the Houses of Parliament over it (Xmas shopping takes precedence), but it seems highly likely that it would be a controversial visit, especially as paedophiles are an especially hot button issue here at the moment and everything Jackson does turns into a circus. If he was banned from entry it would be on the grounds of his visit causing public disorder. The smart money is on him not coming after all. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-jackson-potentially-denied-entry-by-english-immigration-could-this-really-happen/220149/4 "2003-12-20T17:21:11Z")
I’m suprised that Jackson would be allowed to leave the US. Suprised that he could leave California. Didn’t they learn anything from Roman Polanski? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-jackson-potentially-denied-entry-by-english-immigration-could-this-really-happen/220149/5 "2003-12-20T18:03:16Z")
What’s going on with pedophiles in the UK right now? ---
**Author:** ![everton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@everton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everton)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-jackson-potentially-denied-entry-by-english-immigration-could-this-really-happen/220149/6 "2003-12-20T18:19:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > What’s going on with pedophiles in the UK right now? [This child murder case](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2003/soham_trial/default.stm) has been making the news for weeks. No immediate similarity to the accusations against Jackson of course. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/m-jackson-potentially-denied-entry-by-english-immigration-could-this-really-happen/220149/7 "2003-12-20T18:22:41Z")
I’m a bit surprised too, **Zebra.** Evidently the justification is that TKoP had a contract obligation in Britain, and to bar him from leaving would force him to default on said contract. IANAL, so who knows what kind of consequences that would have? FISH