newsAnd here’s to you, Tommy Robinson – Oxford loves you less than you will know
Tommy Robinson – His rallies attract tens of thousands in London
By Trevor Grundy
Tommy Robinson’s debate on Islam at the Oxford Union has been postponed after police concern that his presence at the prestigious debating society tomorrow night (May 28) could spark off violence.
But the postponement announced by the Oxford Union is seen by his supporters as a one hundred percent de facto cancelation,
Right-wing activist and leader of the tiny Reclaim Party, Laurence Fox, claimed that Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council have “bullied” the President of the Oxford Union, Arwa Elrayess, into cancelling tomorrow night’s debate.
Unconfirmed reports say that the Thames Valley police have told the Oxford Union they would have to pay anything from £50,000 to £80,000 to police the event.
Arwa Elrayees (pictured above) is the first Palestinian President of the Oxford Union. She faces resignation calls after inviting Robinson to Oxford, apparently without full approval from the members of the Oxford Union committee.
Confirming that the debate would be ‘postponed’ until later this academic term, a spokesperson for the Oxford Union said the delay was necessary for security reasons.
The OU statement said, “The Fifth Week debate has been postponed from May 28 to later this term to allow for planning of the event. We expect to confirm the new date shortly, following discussion with our speakers.”
Oxford’s term ends on 20 June, and there are already debates scheduled on 4, 11, 13 and 18 June, as well as late afternoon or evening events on many other June dates.
Tommy Robinson is a former member of the British National Party (BNP) and the now defunct English Defence League (EDL). He is a formidable presence in right-wing British politics. When he holds rallies in London, tens of thousands of people turn up, waving flags and calling for the strengthening of the monarchy and the United Kingdom.
The Oxford Union has often extended invitations to controversial mainly right-wing (but sometimes left-wing ) figures.
In 1961 the pr-war Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley spoke there. At that time, his son, the later Max Mosley, was Secretary of the Oxford Union.
A former leader of the British National Party (BNP) Nick Griffin spoke at the Union. So did the Hitler-admirer historian, David Irwing.
Prominent Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders have welcomed news that Tommy Robinson won’t be in Oxford this week.
Last week, Bishop of Oxford Dr Steven Croft and Imam Monawar Hussain wrote a joint letter in which they say they are “disturbed and saddened” that the far-right leader was scheduled to appear at the debating society which is more than 200 years old.
Whether Tommy Robinson will show-up before the terms ends in a few weeks from now remains to be seen.