Britain has its rights. But doesn't this inhibit free speech, however abhorrent?

tracy, boston,

Every nation has the right to secure its borders. But when a nation begins to punish persons for thoughts and ideas and not actions, then that nation will surely decline in its greatness. Its the free exchange of ideas that makes a nation great.

Joe Rabasa , Miami, USA

Funny those who say he has a fist ammendment right to speak. In the US he does and he uses it extensively and loudly. I wasn't aware that the UK was following the US Consitution these days. His listeners need to take a US govt course first so they don't embarass themselves and confuse US and UK..

Denise, Boston MA, US

George Orwell 1984. Jacqui Smith fits right into it. She cannot get anything right, costs us a bundle. She should quit and pay back all the money she has swindled the taxpayers out.

Pietzsch, Cambridge, UK

No surprise, I remember back 15 or so years you turn on BBC you were able to see Iris nationalists talking but Uk were not allowing voices to play.

Jim Wang, New York,

It's not DJ Savage but Dr. Savage. He has 2 Ph.D.'s from Berkely. He has written about 18 books. He can match wits with anyone on a wide variety of topics. He is very passionate about the decline of Western civilization and makes his opinion known openly. He did not say that Autism is a scam.

Paul, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

First of all, Michael Savage is NOT a shock jock. Shock jocks are sleezy and speak vulgar language. Michael Savage is a conservative with an opinion. He is emotional about the decline of our country and our world and speaks with passion, but he NEVER suggests violence or crime. We have free speech.

Pamela Pilger, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

In today's digital all connected world the extremist message can be accessed over the web regardless of these border controls. We should not stop entry into the UK as this is discrimination. Act swiftly if a crime is committed whilst here.

Daz, Basingstoke, England

Don't forget, America is the counrtry that refused entry to Cat Stevens because of his religion. The "land of the free and the home of the brave". Yeh, right.

Bill Peter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Most of these people seem to have "offensive to the majority" views. But surely there is a huge number of far worse people to be put in front of many of these names? The process of accepting and validatng "submissions from officials" appears in need of restructure and erradication of personal bias.

Ian, Madison, USA

To Andrew, Phoenix, Arizona, USA: You mean like conservatives, Christians, and pro-lifers?

Kathleen, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Michael Savage has the freedomof choice to say whatever he wants and Great Britian has the freedom of choice to say who can and who cannot enter their country. It is all about choices.

Chuck Miller, Merrimack, USA

theres talk of him being protected under the first amendment. fine in the US .but this is the UK

drew, Maidstone, UK

What about Robert Mugabe!!!

shavs, slough, uk

Hypocrisy from the Americans is funny.
Everyone knows that the US is one of the hardest places to get into, even when your papers are perfect. Many people also realise that US airport security is extremely poor, on the surface it looks good but underneath it isn't joined up.

James, London,

Personally, i think certain individuals should be banned. but without just cause other thanpast history is not very tolerable in and of itself. The phelps anti gay clan for instance, had due reason. People in jail that had not expressed wishes to visit, not so much.

Raven Blackwood, Gloucester, UK

It appears we have a lot in common with the Brits. Most of them feel the same way about their Home Secretary as most of us here in the US feel about our Secretary of Homeland Security. I think Mike Savage just got a whole new audience...there is no such thing as bad publicity.

Joanne, Mequon, WI, USA

Mr. Savage, like him or not, is an American citizen, protected under the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. As such, we should all support him as a citizen and fight against the facism that disguises itself as political correctness.

Justine, San Diego, USA

I'd rather ban Joanna Lumley

Richard Holland, Lichfield, UK

Michael's not a shock jock and has never threatened harm to anyone. He shows his anger over political wrongs and has many opinions, but it's all about ideas. He'll debate with anyone who calls and is civil. He's also a self-professed Anglophile. Listen for yourself on the internet or podcast.

S. Snyder, Sacramento, CA, USA

In the USA, there are different types of visas. tourist, immigration, student, employment, etc. If the people of the UK must be protected from hearing views they may not like, why not just put Savage on a list to deny him a work visa. This should keep him off the airwaves.

Jim Powell, San Diego, USA

This selective government censorship in the UK does not bode well for those who speak out against the government. If they are testing the waters by banning some third-tier American commentator, what is next? Wait until they turn their attention inward to the Michael Savage types in the UK.

Ken, Las Vegas, USA

Michael Savage "may be offensive but that is another thing entirely". That pretty much sums it up for me. Although I might not neccessarily agree with his views on many issues I fail to see any harm in letting him come to this country. Plus it seems he doesn't want to come anyway. Fair enough.

Jamie, Berks, UK

So what? Let him sue for defamation or whatever! For all we care...That won't make him more or less welcomed anywhere. What's all the fuss about? Beside making angry the usual right-minded 'Free world leading' Americans, I really don't see the point.

Jules, Blackpool, UK

Having listened to Mr. Savage, I can honestly say his views are sickening and reprehensible. That said, to ban him is ridiculous and I hope he wins his lawsuit. And maybe Americans sue too much in your opinion, well when you have a government that clearly is against the people, its the only option

Rich, Atlanta, USA

I think banning Michael Savage shows that Britons have values and use discrimination. Mr. Savage is a blight on my nation and I dearly wish I could ban him and his ignorant views from my airwaves.

Abby, Gainesville, USA

Those wondering why the list is complete should note that it is only those who have been refused entry this year.

Ed Brookes, London, UK

It looks like Jacqui Smith simply plucked a few names out of the ether with which to make the political capital that she so sorely lacks.

Mike Mitchell, Spalding, England

how typically amercian, "i'll sue you", "speak to my lawyer". what exactly does he hope to gain by suing? makes me laugh

Liam, Aberdeen, Scotland

Dear Readers. I have listened to Michael Savage for years. He believes in hard work and living a clean morally sound way of life. He does not believe in harming anyone . He would be the first to fight for religious freedom for all. Take back your nation!Show some guts!

Giuseppe, Boston , USA

Bin Laden, so it would seem, is welcome to enter the UK.

Sean, Surrey, UK

I'd never heard of this so-called Savage bloke but having now heard him speak I think we can relax in the knowledge that we've done the right thing.

I'd be more than happy to offer myself up as a target for the USA to ban if that would help smooth things over.

Michael, London, UK

Their is a vast difference between being offensive / provocative and promoting violence. There is a find argument about turning away people who promote violence but most of these people are provocative. Having people how are offensive and provoke debate is important to the health of democracy.

Paul, Greenwich, UK

The UK has the right to ban anyone from entering their country. The guarantee of free speech exists for its citizens, not for foreigners.

Now, if only the US could ban the Phelps. These people are a disgrace to our entire species.

Michael E., Washington DC, US

They should have banned him from XBOX 360, now that would be real punishment

tacy, Lincoln, USA

A little less hypocrisy from our American cousins would be in order. Plenty of foreigners are banned from entering the US on spurious grounds.

Tom, Reigate, England

britain has the right to pick and chose who it deems welcome to visit their country for whatever reason they see fit.

britain can live without michael savage and his ilk.

bravo Jacqui Smith.

anton alfred newcombe, Reykjavík , Iceland

Hmmm...
Where is he going to sue?
In America will have no bearing as Jaqui Smith would have diplomatic immunity.
In Britain Mr Weiner would have to be present at some point - only he cannot because he is banned.
Case over.

Glen, Ilford, England

Can we have a full list please, it must be more than 16.

ljs, edinburgh, scotland

Presumably this was simply a publicuty stunt by the government. Like many other of their stunts it has turned round and bitten back.

Denise, Newquay Cornwall,

The list is incomplete, Mugabe is banned yet not on there...

JonB, Manchester, UK

So no Osama Bin Laden on the list?

Andrew, Cambridge,

The opinions of Americans mean very little to the majority of people in the UK and extremists are usually dismissed as cranks. The problem is that if we were to allow Mr Savage in (or anyone on the list), it would simply result in a media frenzy that would not be good for the country.

Laurence, Hemel Hempstead , UK

Another proof that this government consists of brainless people, hope Mike Savage sues her personally and any settlement should come NOT out of the tax payers but her own personl slush fund she has accumalated as an MP. No doubt she will put in a claim which hopefully will be turned down

RG, Aberdeen, UK

Another Government farce that 'we' the taxpayer will end up paying for. Does she and the rest of the government not realise - every country has it's banned from entry list but they only inform their customs, passport controls and border controls. Who else needs to know- Mary Whitehouse?

Mike, Cardiff, Wales

Savage thinks autism is a scam. So what? I know UK teachers who think dyslexia is a scam. I think it's important that we get to know about the views of a man whose radio show has 10m listeners in the USA. Now we are doing. We can listen to it on the web. Thanks for drawing this to my attention.

jon, manchester,

Mike apparently doesn't like to be denied his civil rights. Hey Mike, why don't you call the ACLU?

frank burns, ferrytown,

I don't agree with this ban, but then I also didn't agree with the US banning Cat Stevens!

Raymond, Taunton, UK

Ghadafi not on the list . !

Richard Farnfield, Richmond , Surrey .

Sophie, I quite agree, the article says what some of the people on the list are guilty of, but completely ignores it's subject's offense.

Banning the Dutch MEP appears to have set a dubious precedent.

Clare Hickling, Ware, Herts

What a shame for freedom of speech. If people really cannot see the difference between what Savage has to say and what the others on this list have done, then perhaps our values really ARE different.

Meanwhile, I can see Mr. Savage's next air plug: "Savage: so right he's banned in the U.K.!"

Kyle, Seattle, USA

Evelyn Beatrice Hall wrote in 1906 about Voltaire's thoughts: "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it." That still holds true today unless te Mrxist labour supporters deny us that human right. Parliament is ready for a massive cleanout

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Banning people for speech is ridiculous. Censorship requires that we place our trust in a censor who decides what is fit for us to read or hear. Who is to say that Jacqui Smith or anyone should have this power? Who is to say that they cannot be corrupted?

Daniel, Austin, TX, USA

A publicity stunt. Let's produce a list of political bogeymen and show how tough we are. Nothing to do with the mess they've made of the economy. Has this administration learned nothing from the last two years of the Major government?

Angus Swan, London, UK

Freedom of speech is the preserve of the left. Are any extreme left-wingers banned? No, thought not.

Roger Tilbury, Worthing,

Just incase our friends in the US are not sure. The sort of values currently held in our government include falsely claiming expenses on anything including Porn Films, carrying out smear campaigns against leading opposition MPs, telling blatant untruths whilst being totally inept at governing.

howard, london,

I'm sure most countries have a similar list of people they don't want entering (including the US), so I hardly think that the UK is an exception.

It just happens that the UK has published its list - for better or worse.

MW, London, UK

Oh, isn't the president of Iran on the list too?

Meanwhile it's a pity the government doesn't have the courage to properly deal with the extremeists that live in the country already, don't forget the London bombings were done by our own people, not American DJ's!

Nick Duckworth, Norwich, UK

I'd never heard of Michael Savage or his views until yesterday, seems a bit of an own-goal giving him all this free publicity.

Claire, March, UK

DJ whilst we allow American criminals into this country like rap stars whilst you in America ban anyone who has a criminal record which is about 20% of the population of the UK. Personally I find it impossible to justify banning anyone; we either have freedom of speech or as it now seems we do not.

Gary, Saltash, UK

Hmmmm, Michael Savage's claim that he's opposed to violence sounds a little disingenuous when you recall he said this: "And I think there should be no mercy shown to these sub-humans. I believe that a thousand of them should be killed tomorrow."

Eric, London,

16, then 1,000, then millions. Then the government's own citizens, especially the ones that don't agree with them.

pete m, HULL, UK

I would like to deport tacky Jacqui and all her colleagues who have fraudulently claimed "housing benefit" and spent hundreds of thousands of pounds furnishing "second homes" . They could seek asylum in Zimbabwe.

R.F., Yorks, UK

It would be nice if the article actually stated what Savage has done wrong - I don't personally know, and it's irritating to have to Google it to find out when it should be included in the piece. "Shock jock" and "Savage Nation" as clues don't exactly spell it out if you're not American.

Sophie, London, UK

This does smack of being guilty of something before committing a crime. It would be enough to meet these people at the airport and let them know that they must comply with UK laws whilst here. If they break those laws then they pay the price.. I think hanging would be a suitable deterrent..

Rex Lester, Surbiton, UK

jasper, chelmsford;
I think he might be told to sling his hook.

Bob Taylor, Granada, Spain

You have to laugh: "My views may be inflammatory, but they're not violent in any way." Hmmm... yes as long as you're just stirring up discontent and xenophobia and homophobia and all the other phobias, and not actually advocating violence, then that's OK? People like that abuse freedom of speech.

will, London,

I sure hope the USA responds in kind. There are a heck of a lot of Brits that should be banned from entering the USA.

dj, Washington, DC

It is as much the free speech of the Citizens of the UK to exercise control at our national borders as it is for these people to express their opinions.
Freedom speech is less a right and more a responsibility. If you exercise your freedom you have to accept the consequences.

NC, Cambridge, UK

"Both men are serving 20-year prison sentences."
Good thing the Government acted swiftly to prevent these men from entering the Country then!

Dan, Winchester, England

I guess Smith is proud of the fact that Freedom of Speech does not exist in Great Britain.

Gary, Portland, OR, USA

I support the U.K. to ban offensive people from entering their country. Unlike the rest of the world, the U.S. is the only nation among Western industrialized democracies that allows hate speech or any kind of negative speech attacking groups of people by race, religion, gender or disability.

Andrew, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Wow... and I thought the US was moving dangerously close to the old USSR model! Who do they have in office over there who can't tell the difference between most of those people on that list and Savage?

Maureen, Austin, USA

Could you guys contact your government and obtain a check list of forbidden opinions? It would be helpful to have them handy in case I was thinking of booking a flight. I'd hate to run afoul of yout Thought Police after buying a non-refundable ticket.

DRH, Campbell, Ca, USA

Jacqui Smith is the single biggest threat to freedom and liberty that this country has ever faced

Craig, London,

For too long we've let people who try to radicalize and promote hate against our country and it's people. Why should they be allowed into the country to promote hate, racism etc at the expense of upsetting the public who actually live here! It's about time we took a stronger stance!

D.Ersser, London, United Kingdom

I am putting myself on the list. I will never travel to the UK, and will boycott all British Products except salad creme. The beacon of light that was Britannia has gone out.

Carl Alfonse Mueller, Los Angeles, California, United States of America

I would put Noam Chomsky on the list too.

Mark, London, London

I don't share many values with Jacqui Smith

Tom, Oxford, UK

I applaud the Home Office for their choice and decision. The right of free speech is balanced by the rule of law and the protection of the people of the United Kingdom.

David MacKenzie, Toronto, Canada

Britain has gone to the dogs and I avoid it like the plague. How sad for the British who don't subscribe to these views! I think your Home Secretary should be banned from Britain. Oops, I'll probably be on the list now, too.

Bee, Houston, TX,

And what if one of this unsavoury lot arrives in the UK declaring themselves to be an Asylum Seeker, Abu Hamza style ?

jasper, chelmsford,

While does this list not include Gerd Wilders, the Dutch MP prevented from entering the UK in February 2009? This lists seems incomplete and with such a pominent case missing, one wonders...

Adrian, London, UK

This is what we pay income tax for? To let this incompetent group tell us who we can listen to? The State is an organised crime gang; it doesnt matter if it is the Cocal Cola party or the Pepsi Cola party in office.

phil, Nottingham,

Jacqui Smith : "People have a right to their views, so long as they are our views"

Jack Forth, London, United Kingdom

It is ironic that there is such a list when the UK government permits a proscribed terrorist outfit, such as the Tamil Tigers, to demonstrate outside Parliament waving their flags and carrying pictures of their leader - the foremost terrorist in the world!

Sepala, Maraussan, France

Only 16 of them, I am surprised. I would have thought without much effort one could name 50. I would certainly include G W Bush.

alan frankcom, solihull, UK

"If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all." Noam Chomsky

LM, London,

Freedom of speech only as long as you two the Labour line. Which is perverse when you see the lengths they go to to minimising their own exposure.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

Why ban the Hamas MP. He is only coming to look at the secret rules for MPs expense claims in which we lead the world

john, epsom,

I may disagree with the views of almost, if not everyone on the list. However surely bans should be on those who will actually harm us, opposed to those whose views are unsavoury?

Farrukh, Woking,

You only have free speech when it is moderate.

Jeff, London,

How dare they stir up tension?! That's the Government's job!

Kazuki, Tokyo, Japan

Whilst Inayat Bunglawala makes a good point about people having the right to enter a country provided they keep their views to themselves, surely these individuals have been incapable of doing so and as such relinquished that right.

I welcome this move and hope we continue with these measures.

Ed, Surrey, United Kingdom