Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten has written to parliament that there are no grounds to bar controversial Islam scholar Haitham al-Haddad from entering the Netherlands.

The minister’s letter came in reaction to questions from the Christian Union, Freedom Party, the conservative VVD and the Christian Democrats (CDA).

Mr Opstelten wrote that the sheikh’s statements on Jews and women were reprehensible, but in themselves insufficient grounds to bar him from entering the Netherlands.

Amsterdam venue De Balie has invited the Islam scholar after VU University Amsterdam cancelled his invitation to take part in a symposium organised by the VU University’s Islamic Students’ Association because of the commotion over his intended participation.

In his letter, the minister pointed out that Mr al-Haddad has British nationality. EU citizens can only be denied entry to the Netherlands if they pose a threat to public order, national security or public health. “Of course, you can assume that action will be taken should such a threat occur after all,” said Mr Opstelten.

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