Update: Protesters storm Oxford Union

10:15pm Monday 26th November 2007

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A GROUP of protesters have forced their way into the Oxford Union and barricaded themselves inside the debating chamber.

About 20 people are thought to have managed to get into the building in St Michael's Street and are staging a sit-in protest.

BNP leader Nick Griffin and Holocaust denier David Irving were invited to speak at the Union's Free Speech Forum.

The invitations sparked huge controversy with opinions across Oxford divided on whether the pair should be given a platform.

A thousand anti-fascist protesters roared their opposition outside the Union - including Respect MP George Galloway.

Campaigners from Unite Against Fascism, Unison and Jewish student groups gathered outside Oxford Union armed with placards and loudhailers.

Representatives from Unison were joined by campaigners from Unite, as well as Jewish and Muslim groups.

Weyman Bennett, of Unite Against Fascism, said: "It's up to the good people here to stand together against fascism and say we don't want in this or any country."

Student rabbi and Oxford Union member David Mitchell said: "It's utterly horrendous. I can't believe Oxford Union is giving credibility to these people and I will be resigning my membership in the morning."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told the Commons earlier today it was up to the debating society to make its own decision about allowing Mr Irving and Mr Griffin to attend the freedom of speech event.

Ms Smith, an Oxford graduate, speaking in Home Office Questions, said: "I thoroughly deplore the sentiments, the expressed views and the actions of both of the gentlemen due to be speaking at the Oxford Union society this evening."

She said there was legislation which she hoped would be used if they "overstepped the mark".

Conservative frontbencher Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East, resigned his life membership of the Oxford Union in protest at the decision to invite the pair to speak.