A controversial preacher will not be coming to Croydon after being banned from entering the UK.

Spiritualist healer Todd Bentley, denounced as a “disgrace to any idea of Christianity” was due to open a three-day tour of the UK in Croydon on August 30.

The preacher claims he healed a woman by kicking her in the face.

However, following a campaign, led by Labour MP for Croydon North Malcolm Wicks, the Canadian 36-year-old has been banned from entering the UK.

Mr Wicks, who wrote to Home Secretary Theresa May urging her to block Bentley’s entry to the country, said: “I am delighted.

“The Government has made the right decision on this one. It shows we are not prepared to let anyone into the country. This man was a disgrace to any idea of Christianity.”

Writing on his Facebook page, Bentley condemned the decision. He wrote: “I am deeply saddened by the recent decision of the UK Government regarding my entry into the country.

“We know and believe that the UK has a great destiny, and we are praying for the leaders and those in government. Please continue to stand with us in prayer regarding this decision and our return to the UK.”

In another post Bentley, who has just completed a tour of Norway, defended the incident where he kicked a woman in the face.

He said: “While operating in the gift of faith, I felt I was to kick a woman in the face as a step of obedience.

“I do not understand it, but she was healed and not injured.

“This is one of several isolated accounts where I have prayed in an unorthodox manner for individuals, but I do not consider it violence when no one is injured.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “The Government makes no apologies for refusing people access to the UK if we believe they are not conducive to the public good. Coming here is a privilege we refuse to extend to those who might seek to undermine our society.”