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/london/8377437.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Anti-gay' cleric talk cancelled | 'Anti-gay' cleric talk cancelled |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A London university union has cancelled a talk by an Islamic preacher who allegedly endorses killing homosexuals. | A London university union has cancelled a talk by an Islamic preacher who allegedly endorses killing homosexuals. |
| Abu Usamah, recorded by Channel 4 saying gay people should be "thrown off a mountain", was due at University College London Union (UCLU) next week. | Abu Usamah, recorded by Channel 4 saying gay people should be "thrown off a mountain", was due at University College London Union (UCLU) next week. |
| A university spokeswoman said: "UCLU has decided to cancel this event due to concerns that the health and safety criteria cannot be met." | A university spokeswoman said: "UCLU has decided to cancel this event due to concerns that the health and safety criteria cannot be met." |
| Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell had called the visit "disgraceful". | Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell had called the visit "disgraceful". |
| In 2007, the Channel 4 programme Undercover Mosque recorded Mr Usamah referring to gay people as "dogs". | In 2007, the Channel 4 programme Undercover Mosque recorded Mr Usamah referring to gay people as "dogs". |
| Abu Usamah has advocated violence and hate speech, which has no place on university campuses Raheem Kassam, director, Student Rights | |
| He was also filmed saying: "Do you practise homosexuality with men? Take that homosexual man and throw him off the mountain." | He was also filmed saying: "Do you practise homosexuality with men? Take that homosexual man and throw him off the mountain." |
| The preacher has said his comments were taken out of context by the film-makers and that he was explaining it was an opinion featured in some books that he did not support. | The preacher has said his comments were taken out of context by the film-makers and that he was explaining it was an opinion featured in some books that he did not support. |
| Anti-extremism group Student Rights was instrumental in applying pressure to get the event cancelled. | |
| Director Raheem Kassam said:"It's great to see that after the combined efforts of Peter Tatchell and Student Rights, UCL have decided to cancel this event. | |
| "Abu Usamah has advocated violence and hate speech, which has no place on university campuses." | |
| The UCLU spokeswoman said the union was autonomous and it had been the students' choice to invite the preacher to speak on 30 November. | The UCLU spokeswoman said the union was autonomous and it had been the students' choice to invite the preacher to speak on 30 November. |
| Earlier this month Mr Usamah gave a speech at London's City University. | Earlier this month Mr Usamah gave a speech at London's City University. |