Like Snoop Dogg, ex-con Stewart won’t be having tea with the Queen anytime soon

By Brian Frederick

LONDON, UK (Hollywood Today) 6/21/08 – - “We continue to oppose the entry to the UK 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 offenses abroad,” said a representative of the British Border Agency.

Martha Stewart (66) and her broker Peter Bacanovic (46) were convicted in US Federal Court for obstruction of justice, conspiracy, and making false statements (lying) with regard to her sale of ImClone stock in 2004. Neither Stewart nor Bacanovic were convicted with the actual sale of Stewart’s ImClone stock.

Stewart received a five-month prison sentence and served for an additional five months and three weeks of mansion confinement on her estate…oh it sucks to be rich.

“Martha loves England; the country and English culture are near and dear to her heart. She has engagements with English companies and business leaders and hopes this can be resolved so that she will be able to visit soon,” said Charles Koppelman in a written statement. Koppelman is chairman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

Stewart’s plans include a speaking engagement at the Royal Academy and meetings with leisure and fashion leaders such as designer Jasper Conran.

The Stewart marketing team was in the Polish capital of Warsaw on Friday to promote her recent launch of Martha Stewart Living magazine and to exhibit photographs she took of various landscapes. Stewart was hoping to be in the UK later this week during her promotional tour for MSL magazine.

In a downtown mall in the capital city, Stewart was greeted by eager fans waiting to get a glimpse of the infamous one-time billionaire – at least on paper. “As a Polish-American, I feel a strong connection to this beautiful country and to its people. This trip is a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with my heritage,” Stewart said to the crowd.

Stewart’s executive team is trying to “resolve” her visa issue with country’s border agency while she is in Europe.

“It’s a bit silly given some of the other people allowed in to the country,” a spokesperson with the British Border Agency said according to AP.