LETTER:Karl Marx in, al-Masari out

From Mr Paul Dresch

Sir: The move to expel Mohammed al-Masari from Britain, at Saudi behest ("Anger as Saudi dissident is told to leave Britain", 4 January), sets a nasty precedent. Mr Masari has criticised the Saudi regime. This is not a crime in this country, at least not yet. He has not, so far as one knows, promoted violence of any kind or associated himself with those who do.

One need not agree with Mr Masari's views - I don't much myself - to argue that he has right to dissent from the views of his country's government, and indeed from those of the British government. If we could tolerate Karl Marx in Hampstead, we can tolerate Mr Masari in Willesden.

If rights of dissent and asylum are to be withdrawn at the behest of foreign governments, no matter that one might sympathise with their views, the very nature of the British state is implicated. Tolerance cannot depend on expediency.

Unless that is established clearly, relations with the Saudis will become more difficult. In the absence of clear principle, every difference that arises will appear to them mere perversity on Britain's part. The position of British ministers and ambassadors will become impossible.

The political argument may be finely balanced. But the principle at issue is more important by far. If that is surrendered, we will be on a slippery slope down which may slide more than the interests of Islamist dissenters.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Dresch

St John's College

Oxford