ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling on the Government to deny a controversial “pick-up artist” entry into Britain.

Julien Blanc, who is accused of teaching men sexually abusive and racist tactics to attract women, delivers seminars and runs bootcamps on how to “pick up” women.

He was forced to cut short his tour in Australia last week after his visa was cancelled following protests. A campaign is now calling on the British Government to follow suit before Blanc’s tour reaches the UK in February.

It has also been claimed he is planning a seminar at a “secret location” in London on November 27.

More than 15,000 people have signed the petition — calling on the Home Office to “Deny Julien Blanc a UK Visa” — since it was launched on campaigning website Change.org on Saturday.

The petition, which was set up by a City worker under the pseudonym Caroline Charles, reads: “He [Blanc] and his association — Real Social Dynamics — promote sexist, racist and criminal approaches to women.

“Please help British women stand with the women of Australia, the women of America, and women everywhere, and do not let the UK play host to events where men are being taught how to violate and harass women under the guise of ‘dating advice’.”

Sarah Green from the End Violence Against Women coalition said there is a strong legal case for denying Blanc a temporary work visa for the UK.

She told The Guardian: “Some of the behaviour Blanc demonstrates in his videos amounts to sexual harassment and sexual assault. More broadly this is part of a culture that makes light of assault, that tells victims they will not be taken seriously.”

Some campaigners have warned that elements of his online promotion encourage rape, in his reference to teachings on how to have sex with a woman who has refused consent.

A protected Twitter account, called @RSDJulien, claims to be “an executive coach for Real Social Dynamics, the international leader in dating advice”. On a website linked to the account, Blanc claims men who take his courses will learn how to “Make Girls BEG To Sleep With You After SHORT-CIRCUITING Their Emotional And Logical Mind”.

Tuition costs from £123 for 23 instructional videos to £312 for the videos and a ticket to a live event, as well as access to Blanc’s Facebook page.

Real Social Dynamics said no one was available to comment. The Home Office said: “The Home Secretary has the power to exclude an individual if she considers that their presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good.”