Dear Mr Huppert

I was dismayed to read a report today in the foreign press (
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/20/arts/britains-conflicting-entry-rules-stymie-visiting-artists.html
) regarding UK immigration agents' applying subjective and capricious
standards to turn away visiting artists -- people who do not intend to
remain in the UK, who are not earning money in the UK, and whose
presence in the UK would contribute to our intellectual life and
cultural understanding.

As the article reports, in many cases British embassies and high
commissions are unable to grant any visa that would allow these artists
into the UK, because no such special visa actually is required. 
Rather, immigration examiners at the airports are misinterpreting
immigration law and policy, and artists are left with no recourse.  By
turning away such valuable visitors we are hurting not only them, but
also ourselves and our international reputation.  I urge you to read
the article cited above, and to try to put a stop to this misguided
practice.

Kind regards
Matthew BELMONTE