UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas

The Trump administration bans five people who have called for tech regulation from entering the country.

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Imran Ahmed, an ex-Labour adviser who now heads the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), and Clare Melford, CEO of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI), were labelled "radical activists" by the Trump administration and banned from entering the US.

A French ex-EU commissioner and two senior figures at a Germany-based anti-online hate group were also denied visas.

European leaders have condemned the measures, while the UK government said it is "fully committed" to upholding free speech.

"While every country has the right to set its own visa rules, we support the laws and institutions which are working to keep the internet free from the most harmful content," a UK government spokesperson said.