Far-right politician's visit axed

Vlaams Block has come under fire

A member of a right-wing Belgian party has been dropped from an official visit to Holyrood.

Dominiek Lootens-Stael was to have been in a delegation from the Flemish Parliament due to come to the capital later this month.

Mr Lootens-Stael was axed because he broke the rules on speaking out against his critics in the Scottish Parliament and the British ambassador in Belgium.

Socialists and the Anti-Nazi League had threatened to stage a demonstration against his appearance.

MSPs from the Labour Party and the SNP said they would refuse to meet him.

Welsh Assembly

Mr Lootens-Stael's party has a policy of stopping all immigration into Belgium and requiring all foreigners to learn Flemish.

The Welsh Assembly banned the whole Flemish delegation.

Holyrood Presiding Officer George Reid said he could not dictate who was in the Flemish delegation and who was not.

He said when the row first erupted: "I shall make clear the abhorrence of all members of the Scottish Parliament to any form of racism.

Mr Reid: "Cross-party delegation"

"I appreciate the sensitivities surrounding the visit but I have also had to give due regard to the fact that this is a cross-party delegation of MPs."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "Our advice to the Scottish Parliament is not to have any meetings with Vlaams Blok because of its far-right political persuasion."

The Vlaams Blok wants independence for Flanders.

It has been accused of singling out immigrants and people of North African origin in its campaign material.

Mr Lootens-Stael is an elected member of the Brussels regional parliament and Flemish Parliament.

He has defended Vlaams Blok, saying its policies were "quite moderate" compared to some far-right British parties.