LONDON -- Controversial "pick-up artist" Julien Blanc has been banned from entering the UK.
The Home Office has refused the self-styled "dating guru" entry in the wake of widespread criticism of his techniques and advice. Blanc, from U.S.-based group Real Social Dynamics, suggests methods that have been condemned as sexually abusive.
An online petition calling for him to be banned has attracted 158,000 signatures since it was launched earlier this month. "To allow this man into the UK legitimises sexual assault and predation, and sends a message that women are playthings or objects without agency," the petition states.
Blanc, who charges £1,250 ($2,000) for his bootcamps, was due to arrive in the UK in February. Crime prevention minister Lynne Featherstone, who called for him to be banned last week, said she was "delighted Mr. Blanc won't be coming to our shores."
Blanc also saw much of his Australia tour cancelled this month after numerous venues ditched planned dates. He was met by protests as he travelled throughout the country, and was eventually forced to leave.
Creepy pick-up artist Julien Blanc dumped by Australians after #TakeDownJulienBlanc campaign http://sale-online.click/2014/11/04/pick-up-artist-julien-blanc-dumped/ … via @mashableau— Jen Ryall (@jennijenni) November 4, 2014
Blanc also had to skip South Korea on his tour.
Korea to deny entry to pickup artist #TakeDownJulienBlanc #Korea http://bit.ly/1wWdzS3 — Korea Observer (@korea_observer) November 13, 2014
The unpopular "guru" discussed the global controversy on CNN in an interview this week with Chris Cuomo, who told him he seemed "noticeably nervous."
“I’d like to apologise to anyone I’ve offended in any way," Blanc said. ”I feel horrible, I'm not going to be happy if I feel like I'm the most hated man in the world."
The remainder of Blanc's tour looks uncertain. Petitions in Japan, Canada and Brazil are also calling for him to be barred while the #takedownjulienblanc hashtag is tracking progress against him on Twitter. Jennifer Li, who led the hashtag campaign, dismissed his apology as "full of sh*t", saying, "He is sorry he got caught, not for what he has done."
Some have questioned the merit of banning Blanc, arguing that a physical ban from the UK doesn't stop him from broadcasting his message here, and in fact highlights his seminars to a broader audience. One Guardian writer has also suggested that "hashtag hate campaigns are leading us into the trap of censorship."
The Home Office always insist they don't comment on individual cases, but have confirmed that Home Secretary Theresa May "has the power to exclude an individual if she considers that his or her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good.”