History Repeating
The Oxford Union has been accused of jeopardising the safety of students and staff after inviting notorious extremist historian Dr David Irving to speak at a debate entitled "This house would restrict the free speech of extremists" on May 10th.
OUSU President Kirsty McNeill has branded the invitation ' the third to be issued to Irving by an Oxford Society - as "a potentially explosive situation, and a disaster for the university".
The two previous invitations issued to Irving - one from the Union and another from the Oxford Reform Club - were both withdrawn amid fears for the safety of students and staff. It was believed that Irving's appearance would attract supporters from the far-right, as well as militant protestors, with security costs expected to be upwards of £20,000.
Similar concerns have been raised this time. McNeill commented: "It will be absolutely impossible to guarantee the safety of LGB, disabled, or ethnic minority students when we're dealing with someone who is known to attract members of the far-right wherever he goes."
"These are the sort of people who glory in violence and believe that terrorism achieves results."
OUSU also fears that it may become the target of hate campaigns itself, as the Student Union is often confused with the similarly named society.
"Our office took dozens of phone calls in the run-up to the Michael Jackson event," explained Steph Gray, OUSU V-P (Finance). "The letter-bombers won't discriminate."
This third invitation to Irving has provoked accusations that the Union is refusing to learn from past mistakes. McNeill said: "Quite why the Union hasn't learnt anything from history, I'm not sure."
A second-year from Corpus Christi, recalling the two previous episodes, remarked: "I can't believe this is happening all over again."
The Union has however denied that Irving's appearance would pose a safety risk. "We do not believe that the invitation extended to David Irving will attract any presence that could threaten the safety of either Union members or members of the wider public," a Union spokesman commented.
"However, the Union is in contact with the Police, and if such a threat is expected we will of course ensure that any such danger is minimised."
Defending her decision to invite Irving, Union President Amy Harland said: "In this media-dominated age, freedom of speech will always be a controversial issue. This is especially the case where this basic freedom comes into conflict with our common desire to live in a tolerant society. This is an issue that needs to be addressed."
26th Apr 2001