Is the Oxford Union in the wrong?

Oxford University was preparing for lockdown tonight ahead of threatened protests against the decision to invite two controversial far right figures to a debate.

Nick Griffin, the British National Party leader, and the historian David Irving, who was jailed in Austria for Holocaust denial, are due to speak at the Oxford Union debating society on the subject of free speech.

Oxford colleges e-mailed their students warning them to stay in their rooms, and many colleges were planning to lock their doors this evening, amid fears that there could be a counter-demonstration by far-right activists which could turn violent.

Protesters planning to demonstrate against the debate include several university societies such as the Student Union, Unite Against Fascism, as well as a rare alliance between the Muslim and Jewish societies. Scores of students were also being bussed in from other universities.

More than a thousand are expected to attend, and colleges today sent their students e-mails warning them to stay indoors during the protest. Students fear that a counter-demonstration by far-right activists could set off scuffles.

Mr Griffin, who received a suspended prison sentence in 1998 for incitement to racial hatred for material denying the Holocaust, and Mr Irving, who spent three years in prison in Austria for Holocaust-denial, are due to take part in a discussion on the limits of free speech.

Students said there was anger today that colleges had failed to press the union to cancel the debate, and that their only action appeared to be sending out e-mails warning of violence.

Keren Bagon, from Somerville College, who is planning to take part in the protest tonight, said: "Individual colleges have sent out warnings to students saying that there is a strong chance that it might turn violent and warning people not to go into town. People are worried that extremist protesters are going to come and launch counter demonstrations, and that it could turn violent."

Miss Bagon, a Jewish Society member, added: "Oxford debating society is supposedly one of the most prestigious societies in the world but, by giving these people a platform, they are effectively condoning them and inviting them into the mainstream.

"Nick Griffin will use today's debate to give himself legitimacy. He will say in his next campaign: 'I spoke at the Oxford Union.'"

Condemnation of the union's decision to invite Mr Irving and Mr Griffin has also come from Sir Trevor Phillips, the equalities watchdog chief.

One prominent Conservative MP, the shadow defence minister Julian Lewis, quit his membership of the union in protest.

In a letter to the Union’s officers, Dr Lewis, the MP for New Forest East, said he was resigning his life membership "with great sadness". His letter said: "Nothing which happens in tonight’s debate can possibly offset the boost you are giving to a couple of scoundrels who can put up with anything except being ignored."

The presence of Mr Griffin and Mr Irving on the list of speakers prompted a series of high profile withdrawals from the platform, including Des Browne, the Defence Secretary.

However, the Oxford Union has repeatedly refused demands to withdraw its invitation. Luke Tryl, the Oxford Union president, said: "These people are not being given a platform to extol their views, but are coming to talk about the limits of free speech.

"What is more, they will be speaking in the context of a forum in which there will be other speakers to challenge and attack their views in a head to head manner and with the opportunity for students to challenge them from the floor.

"It is my belief that pushing the views of these people underground achieves nothing."

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