National Conservatism Conference: Right-wing Brussels event resumes after legal U-turn

Police officers blocked the entrance to the event venue - although the conference continued for those inside

An international right-wing conference in Brussels has been allowed to go ahead on its second day after a ban by the local mayor was overturned.

Belgium's top administrative court said in an overnight ruling that the ban violated the country's constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

Mayor Emir Kir had said he wanted to ensure public security.

But Mr Kir later confirmed the conference would go ahead - although he said he would remain "vigilant".

Brexiteer Nigel Farage, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and several other right-wing European politicians are attending the event.

Legal advocacy organisation ADF, which backed the organisers of the National Conservatism conference, said that Tuesday's events were "a dark mark on European democracy".

"No official should have the power to shut down free and peaceful assembly merely because he disagrees with what is being said," ADF added.

French far-right politician Eric Zemmour, who was prevented from entering the venue on Tuesday, told reporters on site: "Thanks to God, thanks to the pressure we exerted, thanks to the scandal in all of Europe, Europe has shown that it was still the continent of liberal democracy and of the rule of law."

People were stopped from entering the conference a few hours after it began on Tuesday morning, although it continued for those inside.

Police blocked the entrance to the venue and did not permit anyone to enter, although people were allowed to leave.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo had said shutting down the conference was "unacceptable".

"Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop," Mr De Croo wrote on X.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called reports of police action "extremely disturbing".

His spokesperson said he believed cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers was "damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result".

The UK's Mr Farage, who spoke at the event on Tuesday morning, condemned the decision to shut it down as an attempt to stifle free speech.

As well as Mr Orban, former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is due to speak at the event on Wednesday.

About 100 people, including members of group called the "Antifascist co-ordination of Belgium", protested outside the Claridge venue where the conference was held on Tuesday evening. No scuffles or issues were reported.