The Oxford Union has invited far-right activist Tommy Robinson to debate the motion ‘This House believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam,’ with his participation initially kept confidential.

Debate Scheduled for May 28th

The debate is scheduled for May 28th and comes amid heightened tensions following Robinson’s recent ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally in London. The Oxford Union, a renowned debating society, reportedly extended the invitation to Robinson to discuss the controversial motion.

Confidentiality to Avoid Backlash

While the debate itself was publicly announced, Robinson’s involvement was deliberately kept under wraps until the event date to preempt potential backlash from students and the broader community. This approach aims to manage potential disruptions and security concerns.

Oxford Union's Tradition of Free Speech

Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union has a long history of upholding free speech and has previously hosted controversial figures like OJ Simpson and former British National Party leader Nick Griffin. This debate marks Robinson’s first formal debate at the Union, though he previously delivered a speech there in 2014.

Past Invitation Withdrawn

An earlier invitation for Robinson to debate nationalism in 2013 was withdrawn due to concerns about the high security costs associated with his presence. This history informed the decision to maintain confidentiality for the current event.

Exploring a Polarizing Issue

The debate is framed as an exploration of a deeply polarizing issue, questioning whether Western suspicions of Islam stem from prejudice or reflect genuine tensions between Islamic beliefs and liberal democracy. The program highlights the urgency of addressing this topic given rising racial and religious tensions.

Recent Rally and Police Response

The debate follows Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally in London on May 16th, and a similar event last September that drew over 100,000 attendees and resulted in multiple arrests, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Oxford Union Statement

An Oxford Union spokesman stated the society “works tirelessly to curate a termly program of debates…that give our members the unique opportunity to challenge…a broad range of speakers.” They added that information is often released closer to the event date to mitigate security risks, a standard procedure.