Tommy Robinson has secretly been booked by the Oxford Union to speak at a debate on Islam, The Mail on Sunday understands.
Sources in the 200-year-old debating society have said the far-Right activist has accepted an invitation to debate the motion: ‘This House believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam.’
While the debate itself has been publicised online as taking place on May 28, Robinson’s appearance has been kept under wraps.
The MoS understands his involvement is due to be officially announced only on the day of the debate over fears of a potential backlash among students.
The Oxford Union was founded in 1823 and staunchly upholds the principle of free speech. It has a long history of inviting controversial figures, including OJ Simpson and former BNP leader Nick Griffin.
Robinson spoke at the Union in 2014 where he delivered a standalone address, but he has not taken part in a formal debate before.
In 2013, his invitation to appear at a debate on nationalism was withdrawn over the ‘significant security costs’ involved in hosting him.
Now, Robinson is understood to be preparing for the debate on Islam at the union, which the official programme states is designed to tackle an ‘uncomfortable question’ on ‘a deeply contested and polarising issue’.
Far-Right activist Tommy Robinson has reportedly been secretly booked by the Oxford Union to speak at a debate on Islam
Sources in the 200-year-old debating society have said the far-Right activist accepted an invitation – but that news of his appearance had been kept quiet to avoid a potential backlash
It asks: ‘Are Western suspicions of Islam simply the product of prejudice – an effort to manufacture a scapegoat onto which broader social anxieties are projected – or do they reflect a genuine tension between aspects of Islamic belief and the values that underpin liberal democracy?’
The programme adds: ‘In a context where racial and religious tensions have intensified across parts of the West, it is both urgent and necessary to address this question head-on.’
The debate will take place less than two weeks after Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally on May 16 in London.
The planned march comes after Robinson organised a similar event last September that drew more than 100,000 people and saw multiple arrests, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Asked about Robinson’s debate on Islam, a spokesman for the Oxford Union told the MoS: ‘The Oxford Union Society’s committee works tirelessly to curate a termly programme of debates and speaker meetings that give our members the unique opportunity to challenge, question, and interact with a broad range of speakers.
‘Speakers for this term are still being confirmed, with ongoing events in the Middle East – and the dates for Eid Al Adha – being important factors.
‘We only host speakers who agree to be challenged in the context of a debate.
‘For events with greater levels of external interest, information is often released closer to the planned date to mitigate any potential security risks, after routine liaison with stakeholders including the police.
‘This procedure is not a departure from normal practice.’