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Oxford debate delayed by protest Protesters disrupt Oxford debate
(about 3 hours 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 disrupted when protesters forced their way into a 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.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 spoke in separate rooms
He said: "I think it was a very balanced argument and both sides did really well. I'm pleased it went ahead."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.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' The president of the Oxford Union Debating Society, Luke Tryl, told the BBC he was disappointed by the actions of those who tried to stop the event going ahead.
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 way to take fascism on is through debate and that's how we're going to defeat them," he said.
"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, journalistOnce 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. "David Irving came across looking pathetic. He looked weak. The flaws in his arguments about free speech were exposed and I'm pleased that that happened."
Martin Mcluskey, from the Oxford University Students' Union, was among those protesting against the inclusion of Mr Irving and Mr Griffin.
He 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 participant 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 convictionsDenial 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.