Originally published 16 October 2014
A TURKISH MUSIC group was left stunned after Britain called its members a “national security threat” just days before their London concert.
The eleven members of Grup Yorum, a left wing ensemble that has previously performed three times in the UK, said they were astonished when they were delivered the message by an official at the gates of the British Consulate in Istanbul.
The group was forced to cancel its 12 October concert in Wood Green, North London, for which more 2000 tickets had been sold. Earlier concert dates in the year had been postponed because of visa difficulties.
“The ban of this concert is the clearest indication yet that Britain is a paper tiger,” the group wrote in a scathing condemnation of the UK on its Facebook page.
“Despite all their shows of strength, they are weak and powerless enough to be afraid of a revolutionary music group and to consider its arrival in its country as a ‘threat to national security’.”
‘NO APPARENT REASON’
Tottenham MP David Lammy said he was “very disappointed” and was awaiting an explanation from ministers.
He said: “I have lobbied the Home Office extensively in support of Grup Yorum because there is no apparent reason why they should be refused a visa.
“As a result of this decision, a concert of 2000 people has had be cancelled at the last minute while the musicians still have no clearer idea of why they are not allowed to enter this country.”
TURKISH VETO OVER UK VISAS
Email correspondence seen by Londra Gazete appears to suggest the UK refused the visas after consulting Turkish governmental officials.
The messages, between the Home Office and Mr Lammy’s office, suggest the applications were rejected after being “held up by external checks with the Turkish government”.
Grup Yorum said this showed Turkey effectively wielded a veto over UK visa decisions.
It describes itself as a “revolutionary music group” and has often encountered political difficulties in Turkey, where the government has a history of turbulent relations with its left-wing citizens.
UPCOMING EUROPEAN CONCERTS
The group’s London representatives added they were surprised by the UK refusal because the group’s members had been granted permission to perform in London on three previous occasions, most recently in 2011.
They performed in Germany only four months ago and were this week granted visas ahead of an upcoming concert in the Netherlands.
In a short statement to Londra Gazete, a Home Office spokesperson said: “All applications are considered on their individual merits in line with the immigration rules.
“The onus is on the individual to ensure they provide all the necessary evidence when submitting an application.”
