This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7113984.stm
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Oxford debate delayed by protest | Oxford debate delayed by protest |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A debate at the Oxford Union was delayed when protesters forced their way into a university building. | A debate at the Oxford Union was delayed when protesters forced their way into a university building. |
| BNP leader Nick Griffin and controversial historian David Irving were invited to talk about free speech. | BNP leader Nick Griffin and controversial historian David Irving were invited to talk about free speech. |
| Thirty protesters pushed their way into the debating chamber to stage a protest about the inclusion of the two men. | Thirty protesters pushed their way into the debating chamber to stage a protest about the inclusion of the two men. |
| Earlier, 500 people held a sit-down demonstration outside the gates of the building but the debate eventually began about one-and-a-half hours late. | Earlier, 500 people held a sit-down demonstration outside the gates of the building but the debate eventually began about one-and-a-half hours late. |
| However, the organisers split the debate into two rooms. Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris, journalist Anne Atkins and Mr Irving were in one room. | However, the organisers split the debate into two rooms. Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris, journalist Anne Atkins and Mr Irving were in one room. |
| In the other room were Mr Griffin and two Oxford University post-graduate students. | In the other room were Mr Griffin and two Oxford University post-graduate students. |
| Student Roland Scarlett, an undergraduate at Oriel College who attended the debate, said most questions were addressed to Mr Irving. | |
| Nick Griffin and David Irving are due to speak at the Oxford Union | Nick Griffin and David Irving are due to speak at the Oxford Union |
| He said: "I think it was a very balanced argument and both sides did really well. I'm pleased it went ahead." | |
| Anti-racism campaigners had said the two men should not be given a platform to speak at the debate in St Michael's Street, Oxford. | |
| Protesters chanted anti-fascist slogans and jeered "shame on you". | Protesters chanted anti-fascist slogans and jeered "shame on you". |
| The students broke through a security cordon into the building where the debate, scheduled to start at 2030 GMT was due to be held. | The students broke through a security cordon into the building where the debate, scheduled to start at 2030 GMT was due to be held. |
| Union security officers said the protesters got into the building by jumping over the wall while others created a diversion by gathering and crushing at the front gate. | Union security officers said the protesters got into the building by jumping over the wall while others created a diversion by gathering and crushing at the front gate. |
| 'Deeply dangerous' | 'Deeply dangerous' |
| Mr Harris said he was disappointed that the police had not "created a cordon" around the union and had allowed the protesters to come over the walls. | Mr Harris said he was disappointed that the police had not "created a cordon" around the union and had allowed the protesters to come over the walls. |
| "The police imply that they don't have enough resources to move people away from the perimeter or that it is not their job." | "The police imply that they don't have enough resources to move people away from the perimeter or that it is not their job." |
| Once you start having truth by democracy you risk silencing some of the most important prophets we have ever had Anne Atkins, journalist | Once you start having truth by democracy you risk silencing some of the most important prophets we have ever had Anne Atkins, journalist |
| Martin Mcluskey, from the Oxford University Students' Union, said: "What we are doing here tonight at the Oxford Union is putting them on a platform that will give them legitimacy and credibility. | Martin Mcluskey, from the Oxford University Students' Union, said: "What we are doing here tonight at the Oxford Union is putting them on a platform that will give them legitimacy and credibility. |
| "It is as if we are saying that we agree with what they are saying and that we think it is valid." | "It is as if we are saying that we agree with what they are saying and that we think it is valid." |
| But Ms Atkins said controversial views should not be silenced but exposed. | But Ms Atkins said controversial views should not be silenced but exposed. |
| "When you say that the majority view is always right I think that is a deeply dangerous and disturbing thing to say. | "When you say that the majority view is always right I think that is a deeply dangerous and disturbing thing to say. |
| Denial convictions | Denial convictions |
| "I am not for a moment saying that I agree with David Irving or Nick Griffin but I am saying that once you start having truth by democracy you risk silencing some of the most important prophets we have ever had." | "I am not for a moment saying that I agree with David Irving or Nick Griffin but I am saying that once you start having truth by democracy you risk silencing some of the most important prophets we have ever had." |
| Mr Griffin and Mr Irving arrived about four hours before the start of the debate and were escorted into the building. | Mr Griffin and Mr Irving arrived about four hours before the start of the debate and were escorted into the building. |
| MP Dr Julian Lewis has also resigned his membership of the Oxford debating union in protest describing the two men as "a couple of scoundrels" in his resignation letter. | MP Dr Julian Lewis has also resigned his membership of the Oxford debating union in protest describing the two men as "a couple of scoundrels" in his resignation letter. |
| Mr Griffin has repeatedly insisted the BNP is not a racist group. | Mr Griffin has repeatedly insisted the BNP is not a racist group. |
| He was convicted in 1998 for incitement to racial hatred for material denying the Holocaust. | He was convicted in 1998 for incitement to racial hatred for material denying the Holocaust. |
| Mr Irving was imprisoned for three years after pleading guilty to Holocaust denial in Austria. | Mr Irving was imprisoned for three years after pleading guilty to Holocaust denial in Austria. |