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Pro-rape campaigner Roosh V has cancelled a series of meetings around the world amid fears over the 'safety and privacy' of the men who attend.

The self-styled 'anti-feminist', whose real name is Daryush Valizadeh, had set up gatherings in cities in the UK, US, Canada and Australia.

But in a new post on his website last night, the American apologised to his supporters for having to 'let them down' by cancelling the controversial meetings.

He wrote: "I can no longer guarantee the safety or privacy of the men who want to attend on February 6, especially since most of the meetups can not be made private in time.

"While I can’t stop men who want to continue meeting in private groups, there will be no official Return Of Kings meetups. The listing page has been scrubbed of all locations.

"I apologize to all the supporters who are let down by my decision."

It is understood that a number of the planned gatherings had already been moved to a private property - possibly due to the number of men expected to attend, or for safety reasons.

And while Roosh V is concerned about his members' safety, women in some cities have voiced their own concerns online about the 'neo-masculinist' gatherings.

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They have warned other females to 'try not to go anywhere alone' this weekend, The Guardian reports.

The cancellation of Roosh V's meetings comes as more than 25,000 people have signed a petition to ban the 'anti-feminist' from holding meetings in the UK.

The petition against him was started on campaign site 38 degrees and calls on police and crime commissioners, local police forces and the Government to stop Roosh V in his tracks.

It says: "Supporters of known 'legal rape' advocate and 'neo-masculinist' misogynist creator of 'Return of the Kings' Roosh V will congregate on Saturday 6 February, in eight UK cities: Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Shrewsbury and London.

"As he spreads his hateful speech and guides people on how to exploit, manipulate and rape women, he's putting the welfare of women at risk. He needs to be stopped by all genders, within our communities.

"Having written a number of jaw-droppingly offensive blog posts and published books, Roosh V believes that men should stop asking for permission, and that alpha males should slowly break down the confidence in women to get what they want.

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"He is a hugely dangerous individual. His fans have extensive forums online, detailing where to 'pick up the easiest girls' in each city, naming bars, venues and strategies.

"Roosh V needs to be stopped. Please sign."

Another petition to ban the leader from holding an event in Cardiff on Saturday has so far gained more than 7,000 signatures and dubs Valizadeh an 'evil man'. It also posts a link to an article about him.

On his website, believed to have had a million visitors, Roosh V claims a solution for rape charges against men would be to “make rape legal if done on private property.”

“I propose that we make the violent taking of a woman not punishable by law when done off public grounds,” he wrote.

Cardiff petition signatory Briony J was unimpressed.

“Rape legal on private property?” she said.

“You could be lying in your own bed at night, have your home broken into, and be raped and that’d be legal? I don’t think so.”

Only straight men will be allowed to attend the meeting, and women attempting to enter the event will be filmed and broadcast on his global “anti-feminist” network.

“Sounds like he’s inciting crime – how can that be allowed?” Peter J said.

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Valizadeh’s books include “Bang: The Pickup Bible That Helps You Get More Lays.”

“My niece is at uni in Cardiff,” Julie D said on 38 Degrees.

“I want her and all women to be safe. This filth needs not to come to this country.”

And Paul S claimed “those who preach hate are as evil as the terrorist who pulls the trigger.”

(Image: Getty)

The self-proclaimed “anti-feminist” is followed by tens of thousands of supporters on social media, and regularly posts articles campaigning against rape laws and feminism.

His website is believed to be have been visited by more than one million people worldwide.

Following the release of his books on Amazon, another petition – this time on change.org– gained more than 236,000 signatures.

That was calling for his books to be removed from sale.

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South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael said he has written to the Home Secretary Theresa May asking her to consider the petition.

He said: “It has been brought to my attention that an individual who appears to intend to cause harassment and distress in the furtherance of his agenda – and to encourage and incite others to do so – is encouraging people to gather in Cardiff for purposes that are both unpleasant and potentially unlawful.

“I am reassured that South Wales Police are taking the operational policing issues seriously in reviewing risk and protecting the public.

“I have written to the Home Secretary to ask her to urgently consider the petition.

“It may make sense for people to petition the Home Secretary, who has powers to act in relation to a ban on entering the country, which I do not have, or to petition parliament to secure a debate.”

Read the Commissioner's letter to the Home Secretary in full:

Dear Theresa,

It has been brought to my attention that an individual who appears to intend to cause harassment and distress in the furtherance of his agenda – and to encourage and incite others to do so – is encouraging people to gather in Cardiff for purposes that are both unpleasant and potentially unlawful.

Whilst the operational issues are matters for the Chief Constable, the enclosed petition needs a response.

The individual concerned is Daryush Valizadeh, also know as Roosh V, who is, as I understand, an American of Iranian decent.

The information on media and social media suggests that he has an intention to come to Cardiff for the purpose of delivering his message on the issue of consent and rape.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The individuals who have brought this to my attention are concerned that the intent to come to this area is not genuine and is calculated merely to cause distress and potentially to encourage others to engage in criminal activity including rape of females.

Whilst I hesitate to give the oxygen of publicity to any individual of this nature, it is clear that activities by him or his henchmen are unwelcome and place the safety of women at risk.

There is reference to him advising those who attend the proposed assembly to take photographs and videos of any women who turn up to engage in a counter protest saying “I will exact furious retribution upon anyone who challenges you in public on that date (remember to record them)”.

The attached petition with in excess of 2,303 signatures requests that consideration be given to preventing him from entering or being in the country and I ask that you give urgent consideration to this request.

Yours sincerely,

Alun Michael.