Rights abusers banned from Games

World leaders who have committed human rights abuses will be banned from the Olympics, Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne has disclosed in a written statement to Parliament.

He said: “Entry will be refused where an individual’s presence at the Games or in the UK would not be conducive to the public good.

“Where there is independent, reliable and credible evidence that an individual has committed human rights abuses, the individual will not normally be permitted to enter the UK.”

The Foreign Office minister added: “All international visitors applying to enter the UK for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are subject to the UK’s immigration controls.

“Anyone who is currently subject to a European Union or United Nations travel ban will not be able to come to the Games.”

Mr Browne was responding to a written question from former Europe Minister Denis MacShane MP, who has campaigned for Britain to take a harder line on officials from foreign governments who are accused of committing abuses.

Mr MacShane said: ”I am not sure the FCO has realised the full consequences of its new policy which will be tested first of all in connection with the London Olympics.”