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I'll sue Smith, says banned US shock jock
Martin Bentham6 May 2009
A US radio "shock jock" barred from entering Britain claims he will sue for defamation after being named in the Home Office's list of 16 "least wanted".
Michael Savage, who hosts far-Right talk show The Savage Nation, called Home Secretary Jacqui Smith a "lunatic" and said he was outraged that he had been named alongside hate preachers and a member of Hamas.
Ms Smith said she decided to make public the names of 16 people banned since October so others could better understand what sort of behaviour Britain was not prepared to tolerate.
She claimed Mr Savage was "someone who has fallen into the category of fomenting hatred, of such extreme views and expressing them in such a way that it is actually likely to cause inter-community tension or even violence if that person were allowed into the country".
But Mr Savage, real name Michael Weiner, insisted he has never advocated violence.
He said: "For this lunatic Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary of England, to link me up with skinheads who are killing people in Russia, to put me in (the same) league with mass murderers who kill Jews on buses is defamation. I thought this was a joke or a mistake...How could they put Michael Savage in the same league with mass murderers when I have never avowed violence?
"As a result of this I am going to sue."
Reader views (25)
I'm not a real big fan of Michael Savage, but I find it truly odd that the country that came up with Magna Carta would ban an educated, non-violent man from their country. My wife's Mom was from the UK, and her Dad fought with your soldiers in the war. We had talked making a visit. But, I guess thinking Americans are no longer welcome! So sadly, I'll never make the trip. Guess that song is right: "There's no England anymore". May God bless and save the real English people. Paul from the U.S.A.
- Paul, Boston, Ma, 08/05/2009 00:40
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We only have freedom of speech when it fits the gameplan of the liberals who dominate politics and the media.
- Richard Kennard, Welling, 07/05/2009 07:23
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What I find fascinating is the thought: "what could have caused the Home Secretary to pick Michael Savage?" ... yes I've heard the rhetoric but what is really behind this? Could it be the Obama administration's behind the scenes effort to silence his critics?
- Bob, Camarillo, California USA, 07/05/2009 04:39
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dr. michael savage is the most educated, the most intelligent, the most well read radio host on the air today. he is just what britain needs. someone who says it like it is may not always be politically correct and may offend the thought police, but that is just what we like about him.
- Louis A. Gross, covina,ca., 07/05/2009 01:54
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Didn't Jacqui Smith claim the cost of downloading two pornographic movies in MPs' expenses for her husband's little habit? How is it that someone with this level of intellignece can stay in office and Brits accept this? How is it that terrorists can live here freely, threatening the lives of innocent people and openly foster hatred while a controversial but a non-life threatening radio show host be banned...It is embarrassing and spineless. Go Michael go...someone has got to put and end to her.
- C, pickering, 06/05/2009 22:25
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Someone should point out to him that he has no god given right to enter another country if they don't want to let him in. Maybe he should focus on the people who get turned away on trying to enter America who have done nothing wrong, or those locked up in Gitmo for the last seven years who have done nothing wrong. Just a typical right wing nut, Britain is better off without him.
- Graeme Brown, Austin, Texas, USA, 06/05/2009 21:21
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Do and sue what it takes to get this dreadful person to shut up. She has missed on all her official duties and this list (no doubt a vision whilst sitting on the loo)is just another pathetic attempt to deflect from her incompetence. Alas, it boldly underlines her severe
incompetence.
Go away Ms. Smith, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeese
- Hilary, Germany, 06/05/2009 21:06
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Here we go again, England getting the blame for what is done in Britain's name.
- Len Welsh, Grays, England, 06/05/2009 17:41
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Labour will continue to ban anyone who doesnt share "their" views; this is communism!
- Brandon Thomas, SW7, London UK, 06/05/2009 17:11
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How right-wing can the comments get?
I don't want rabid extremists in this country, whichever flavour they come in.
- Fresh, LONDON, 06/05/2009 16:54
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- Fmann, London
Please expanded on...
'That says more about you than about Ms Smith'
What does it say about me then?
- Paul, London, 06/05/2009 16:27
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The very idea of Smith having a name & shame list is laughable.I would advise her husband to stay in the UK.He would be high on most peoples list for exclusion.
- P Doff, paris france, 06/05/2009 16:06
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Savage's website may be a bit tacky (it's an American thing), but if you actually listen to what he says (even on Autism), he is spot on. Here in the UK, we have not only adopted the worst aspects of American PC victim mentality (that Savage thankfully oposes), but been hijacked by a combination of a mistrusting government and corporations (such as those who make CCTV cameras) who are working alongside the government to control our every move or opinion in return for a nice little earner thankyou very much. People like Savaga, who are lucid, brave and principled are just what THIS country needs now. Let's bring him over here and stick him on Radio 4 at 8am to shake this sorry country out of it's slumber.
Savage doesn't preach hate, he preaches common sense. Remember that?
- Vision Aforethought, Oxford & London, 06/05/2009 13:42
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Paul, London
That says more about you than about Ms Smith.
- Fmann, London, 06/05/2009 13:18
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we all know why he was on the list - political correctness to balance the extremist muslims on there
- Interested Observer, larchmont, ny USA, 06/05/2009 13:12
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How funny, that said anyone who refers to themselves in the third person should automatically be banned from entering Britain.
- Wendy K, London, 06/05/2009 13:01
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Please have a read of what it is that Michael Savage is saying and then make comment.
He is a truly vial man who is more interested in hi own self image and is prepared to be offensive as a method of maintaining this image!
SO all that has happened is that by naming him a platform for his self importance has been created
- Not Exactly A Looney Lefty!, The real world, 06/05/2009 12:43
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All he needs to do is send her a few porno movies and he is allowed back.
- David, london, 06/05/2009 12:38
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Lets have a whip round to help him sue Jackboot Jacqui
- Terry Chambers, London, 06/05/2009 12:35
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can we add Jacqui Smith to the list? Oh, and the entire front bench as well...
- Ces, london, 06/05/2009 12:28
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I wish Mr Weiner/Savage the best of British luck. She is an absolute lunatic and it is time she had her comeuppance. I just wish we, the great British public, could sue her for what she's done to our once great country.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 06/05/2009 12:23
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LoyalBrit - you do not speak for me. And you obviously don't understand the arguments enought to speak for anyone else.
- British, Liberal And Proud, London, UK, 06/05/2009 12:15
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Please , please Mr Savage go ahead and sue her.Jacqui is a disgrace to the country and needs taking down a peg or two.I for one will be pleased to see her go and not have to listen to her drivelling voice on the radio ever again. She should return to being a primary schoolteacher - although Lord help the poor students.
- E.Nuff, London, 06/05/2009 11:58
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I would rather have Michael Savage in the country than Jacqui Smith any day of the week!
- Paul, London, 06/05/2009 11:36
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Mr Savage is absolutely right - Ms Smith is a lunatic and please believe me, people of America, that most British people wish she would go. We have been ruled by Labour lunatics for long enough.
- Loyalbrit, London UK, 06/05/2009 10:38
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