Britain Catches On to Martha Stewart’s Sorted Past

This is one of those stories that just makes you laugh.  Martha Stewart who 3 years ago spent some time in jail for alledgely lying to authorities was recently declined entry into England due to her conviction.

Here is the story from Digital Spy:

Celebrity lifestyle guru Martha Stewart has been refused entry to Britain because of her criminal convictions for lying to police.

The US television personality and businesswoman spent five months in prison in 2004 after lying to federal agents investigating her share dealings. She was convicted of obstructing justice.

Stewart had planned to visit the UK this week to speak at the Royal Academy and meet industry contacts. However, a letter from the recently-introduced UK Border Agency informed her that she would not be allowed in.

Her spokeswoman said she had visited Britain numerous times in the past, adding: “Martha loves England and hopes this can be resolved and that she will be able to visit soon.”

The Border Agency does not comment on individual cases but said it opposed entry of individuals “where we believe their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good or where they have been found guilty of serious criminal offences abroad”.

So, which is it–that she has been found guilty of a serious criminal offence abroad or that her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good?

You have to laugh, but then I become reminded of a time when I and my 2 year-old son was set aside at the security check at the airport and had to be wanded independently of each other because his light up shoes came under suspension.  Makes you wonder about their priorities.