Louis Farrakhan's views have sparked concern
Controversial US black political leader Louis Farrakhan has won his High Court battle for the right to visit the UK.
The Nation of Islam leader has been excluded from Britain since 1986.
Mr Justice Turner, sitting in the High Court in London, ruled on Thursday that the ban must be quashed.
Mr Farrakhan, 67, will not be able to come to the UK until after the judge outlines his reasons for his decision on 1 October.
Mr Farrakhan, who is suffering from cancer, challenged last November's decision by the then Home Secretary Jack Straw to maintain the ban.
In November Mr Straw justified upholding the ban imposed by successive Home Secretary on the grounds that Mr Farrakhan had expressed "anti-Semitic and racially divisive views".
Lawyers for Mr Farrakhan argued that the ban was unlawful in interfering with the leader's right to speak with his UK supporters about spiritual values for the black community.
And they said the ban was contrary to the Human Rights Act and the common law.
The ruling means that the Government will now have to reconsider its position and consider if it will appeal.
Ruling welcomed
Hilary Muhammad, UK spokesman for the Nation of Islam has welcomed the ruling.
"Now the citizens of UK will have a chance in the near future to see, hear and judge the honourable Minister Louis Farrakhan for themselves," he said.
"As muslims we are grateful that our leader will be able to come and give us much-needed and valued guidance and instructions.
He said that in a democratic society black people should be able to decide for themselves whether to listen to someone.
Sadiq Khan, solicitor for the Nation, said: "We
hope the Secretary of State will be sensible
and decide not to appeal so that not just black
people, but ordinary people everywhere, can
hear Mr Farrakhan for themselves."
-- Anonymous, July 31, 2001