Martha Stuart banned from the UK

Has security gone mad? After being invited to speak at the Royal Academy the woman who has pioneered a lifestyle empire Martha Stuart, has been told that she cannot get a Visa to visit the UK, where she was also planning to speak to a few people in the fashion and leisure industry, like designer Jasper Conran.

She is hardly a security risk, but what counts against her is the fact that she does have a criminal record as she spent five months in prison for selling shares just before their price dramatically fell in 2004.

A spokesperson for the Martha Stuart said: "Martha loves England and hopes this can be resolved and that she will be able to visit soon."

"Ms Stewart has many friends in Britain, which she has visited numerous times." 

A British government official called the decision "an own goal"

"It is a bit silly given some of the other people allowed into the country," the official added.  

The UK Border Agency said it would not comment on individual cases. A spokesman added: "We continue to oppose the entry to the UK of individuals where we believe their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good or where they have been found guilty of serious criminal offences abroad."

Whatever the thoughts on this, there must be something wrong somewhere as her trip to the UK could have been good for business in the UK and USA too! Clearly having a criminal record is something that would need to be looked into, but a non violent crime and not being of danger to anyone should be looked at in a different way, shouldn't it? 

Source [Telegraph]