The government will not be inviting controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders to Denmark anytime soon.
Conservative MP Naser Khader, previously of Liberal Alliance, secured funding last year for an international freedom of speech conference, which was due to be held in February.
Late last year it was decided to push the conference back until this June and according to information received by Berlingske Tidende newspaper, the conference has been delayed again because of government’s concern over Geert Wilders.
The integration minister, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, has sent out a memo saying that the free speech and anti-radicalisation conference will not be held before the autumn, ‘in spite of intense work and exploration’ that has gone into preparations.
The Danish People’s Party (DF) had wanted Wilders to attend. The politician has been subjected to death threats and banned from entry into Britain due to his outspoken views on Islam.
DF party leader, Pia Kjærsgaard, said she wants a clear answer to the repeatedly delayed meeting and that it is obvious that the conference is an irritation for the government.
According to the newspaper, the Foreign Ministry has expressed concern that if Wilders turns up to the delayed conference in the autumn it could have a negative affect on the climate summit in December. The ministry is apparently worried that Wilders presence could lead to Muslim countries boycotting the climate conference.