Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
UK bars Swedish academic Andreas Malm ahead of London event
The UK denied Swedish academic Andreas Malm entry ahead of a planned event in London.
Malm was due to speak with Huda Ammori, a co-founder of Palestine Action, which the UK has banned as a terrorist organisation.
The Home Office told him his presence was not conducive to the public good, but gave no further reason and said it does not comment on individual cases.
Malm believes the event may have led to the decision, though he also said his past remarks about the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel could be a factor.
He says he is not a member or supporter of Palestine Action and calls the decision a restriction on free discussion.
The ban has drawn criticism from the event's organisers and his publisher, while the UK government has not publicly explained its decision.
The Supreme Court is due to hear an appeal next week over the ban on Palestine Action.
The UK Home Office cancelled Swedish academic Andreas Malm’s Electronic Travel Authorisation, preventing his planned trip to Britain.
Malm said he believes the decision is linked to a planned London panel with Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori.
The Home Office told him his presence in the UK was not conducive to the public good but gave no further explanation.
Malm said he had not publicly endorsed or financially supported Palestine Action.
He also said the decision could be linked to earlier remarks in which he described the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attack on Israel as an act of liberation.
- Who
- Andreas Malm, a Swedish climate academic at Lund University.
- What
- The UK cancelled his Electronic Travel Authorisation, preventing his planned visit.
- When
- The Home Office notified him on Wednesday; the reports were published on 30 October 2026.
- Where
- The decision concerns entry to the UK. Malm was due to attend a panel in London.
- Why
- The Home Office said his presence was not conducive to the public good but gave no further details. Malm believes the planned panel with Huda Ammori may be the reason.
Andreas Malm
UK Home Office
Reason for decision
Andreas Malm
Malm believes his planned appearance with Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori may have prompted the decision.
UK Home Office
The Home Office said Malm’s presence in the UK was not conducive to the public good but gave no further explanation.
Connection to Palestine Action
Andreas Malm
Malm said he was not a member and had not publicly endorsed or financially supported the group.
UK Home Office
The Home Office did not comment on the individual case.
Malm said he last visited the UK.
The Home Office cancelled Malm’s Electronic Travel Authorisation, according to an email seen by Al Jazeera.
Malm was due to appear on a London panel with Huda Ammori, organised by Tribune.
News reports said Malm had been denied entry to the UK.
- Academic
- Andreas Malm
- University
- Lund University, Sweden
- Travel authorisation
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- Planned event
- Tribune panel in London with Huda Ammori
- Home Office explanation
- His presence in the UK was not conducive to the public good
5 sources
UK bars ‘How to Blow up a Pipeline’ author from appearing with Palestine Action co-founder
‘Weak and cowardly’: UK bars renowned Swedish author ahead of Palestine event
Swedish academic says he has been barred from UK over event with Palestine Action founder
Britain bars entry to Swedish academic ahead of appearance with Palestine Action founder
UK denies entry to Swedish academic due to speak at Palestine event
What people are saying
I don't expect the British state to agree with me on Palestine or climate or anything. What I expect the British state to do is to continue to let me enter the country and to discuss with colleagues, with people who disagree with me - as I have done for years.
a severe restriction on the free exchange of ideas
The only thing that could have caused this [latest UK decision] is that I was due to be on a panel on Wednesday evening, where I would talk to Huda Ammori of Palestine Action
In this new dystopian Britain, it is now commonplace for authors and academics to be treated as terrorists because they support Palestinians facing genocide and the rights of people protesting that genocide.