MPs call to ban self defence guru from UK

An American who preaches a "kill-or-be-killed" creed of vigilante self-defence is facing calls for a ban on him entering Britain.

Firearms expert Tim Larkin plans to hold a series of training seminars in the UK in the wake of the summer riots.

Las Vegas-based Larkin insists that in "broken Britain" the only anwser for people who feel vulnerable or threatened is to arm themselves with weapons, including guns.

Macho larkin claims to have instructed US Navy Seals, and plans to stage special classes in the British cities that were worst-affected by the August riots.

He is planning sessions in Tottenham, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham, but the dates and locations are closely-guarded secrets.

Larkin, who operates under the name Target Focus Training (TFT) encourages his followers to respond to attacks with no-holds-barred violence.

He said: "It's not a question of how far is too far. These predators lose their human rights as soon as they break into your house or attack you.

"The British Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, put it in a nutshell recently when he said householders who used 'whatever force necessary' against intruders would not be committing a criminal offence.

"I believe the same goes for muggers, rioters or anyone else who endangers the person or property of another.

"There is no place in today's violent world for traditional self-defence techniques based on poncy dance moves.

"My TFT system has one aim and that is to counter any assault with a full-force attack calculated to injure, using any means possible, weapons included."

Co-author of the book "How To Survive The Most Critical 5 Seconds Of Your Life", Larkin is planning to enter the UK under a veil of secrecy, refusing to specify the dates of his visit.

But some worried MPs are calling on Home Secretary Theresa May to examine his plans.

She could impose an Exclusion Order on Larkin if she considered his visit would "pose a threat to national security, public order or the safety of citizens".

In a letter to the Home Secretary, MP Rosie Cooper says: "Do you feel it is appropriate that we have someone flying in from the United States to teach British people how to kill and using the riots as a platform to do so?

"I do not believe that a small army of vigilantes on our streets, seeking to use the techniques Mr Larkin is advertising, is the solution to rioting on our streets.

"I would urge the Home Secretary to consider whether allowing Mr Larkin to visit Britain is appropriate, given his flagrant efforts to secure financial reward and notoriety on the back of such deplorable events such as the recent riots."

West Lancs Labour MP Miss Cooper added: "What this man is proposing is very disturbing and must not go unchallenged.

"We do not want him coming here to stage a series of secret meetings that are calculated promote vigilante action.

"I have asked Theresa May to investigate this a matter of urgency.

"It is up to her to consider what action you she should take and whether she should prevent Mr Larkin entering Britain and seeking to teach people that violence as a solution to violence."

Liverpool MP Luciana Berger said: "I'm shocked that someone would come to Brtain with the sole purpose of profiteering from the troubles this summer.

"This kind of inflammatory rhetoric has the potential to incite violence and make our streets more dangerous not less.

"The real story of the disturbances was told - not by those who caused the damage - but by the hundreds of people who came out onto the streets in the days afterwards to clean up and take back their communities."

Larkin's violent message has also met with disapproval from British self-defence expert Mark Lutman of Basingstoke, Hants.

Martial arts black belt Lutman said: "The current UK legislation states that an individual may use reasonable force to defend themselves.

"If you are pushed, you may push back. If you are hit, you may hit back.

"However, if you are only being pushed, it's not reasonable to take out a kitchen knife and stab your attacker to death. People must always remember the word reasonable.

"If Tim Larkin is advocating 'full-force attacks' he will find himself in big trouble - as will anyone following his advice."

A spokesman for Tim Larkin said: "We are not bothered by Rosie Cooper's objections to Mr Larkin's visit. She is overreacting and missing the point.

"Mr Larkin is not doing anything illegal by coming over to teach these seminars, and we are planning to do more in the future.

"Mr Larkin has already conducted seminars in London, and he is doing this for free - out of the goodness of his own heart.

"He is not telling people to go out and kill, and at the end of the day everyone has free will.

"But if someone comes into your house and attacks you with a machete, are you going to sit there and be sliced or are you going to fight back?"

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