Protesters blocked the entrance to the Oxford Union as scuffles broke out to prevent ticket holders from attending a controversial debate with Tommy Robinson.
More than 500 anti-fascist campaigners linked arms outside the entrances and wrestled away union members, with only those who had arrived four hours previously able to enter the prestigious debating chamber.
The debating society sparked controversy when it announced it would be hosting a debate entitled “The West Is Right To Be Suspicious Of Islam”, featuring Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – alongside former actor Laurence Fox.
Protesters took to New Inn Hall Street and Cornmarket Street on Wednesday night, occupying either side of St Michael Street where the event is taking place.
In the end, it is estimated around 200 people managed to take their seats in a hall with a 450-person capacity – yet pictures online appear to show far fewer attendees.
Videos posted on social media show Thames Valley Police officers engaged in scuffles with protesters, many of whom are masked or wearing head coverings to hide their identity.
Speaking to The Independent, Geoff Taylor, a volunteer organiser for Stand Up To Racism, said that the protest had managed to significantly delay the debate, and they had garnered the support of local councillors and local activists.
He added that they had been “disgusted” that local businesses had closed due to concerns over Robinson’s presence.
“The turnout by the far right, the Tommy Robinson supporters, was really pitiful. They were 40 at best and they took refuge behind the police line. A lot of them were underage which is very concerning.”
For several hours, demonstrators at the “All Out Against Tommy Robinson” protest held signs from Stand Up To Racism, reading “stop the Far Right” and “Putin’s poster boy”.
Pubs were warned to close early, while shops took the precaution of boarding up their windows after being warned of possible unrest, as a group of Robinson supporters also attended and traded insults with the opposing group.
A supervisor at The Bear Inn told ITV Meridian that they had been forced to cancel all the bookings for the England v Croatia game, given police advice had prevented them from serving alcohol outdoors.
Protesters were seen chanting slogans such as “Oxford Union, shame, shame”, and far outnumbered the handful of counterprotesters, carrying Union Jack flags, who gathered on Cornmarket Street.
The two groups were separated by a police cordon, and numerous officers were present across the area to monitor the protest.
One person who disagreed with the decision to allow Robinson to be platformed said: “Tommy Robinson? Laurence Fox? At the Oxford Union? Guess there’s no requirement for speakers to be able to string a coherent sentence together or formulate a logical argument.”
By the time the debate was due to begin at 8.30pm, only around 60 people had made it inside the hall.
Former Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg released a YouTube video on Wednesday afternoon explaining why he believes the union is “right” to host Robinson for a debate.
He said: “I think the best way to answer him is to debate with him. You see, if I just ignore him he won’t go away, he won’t lose his following and people will just say people like me are scared.”
He added that the Oxford Union would be a “pointless society” without free speech and that it “exists to argue”.
On the free speech argument, Mr Taylor said: “The Oxford Union is a private company, they do not get the right to platform Britain’s number one fascist. The methods and mode of operation of Tommy Robinson is to incite violence against the most vulnerable groups such as refugees, asylum seekers, Muslims and people of colour.
“They don’t use democratic methods, he’s trying to mobilise a street army and thugs. They do not give freedom of speech to the people in the houses they burn and when they’re stopping firefighters in Belfast from putting the fire out.”
It was reported last month that the debate had been delayed after significant outcry about Robinson’s attendance.
The most significant opposition came from faith leaders, including the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, and the founder of the Oxford Foundation, Imam Monawar Hussain, who said they were “disturbed and saddened” when he was invited to speak.
Ian McKendrick, vice chair of Oxford Stand Up To Racism, has previously accused Robinson of inciting “violent race riots” in Southampton, Belfast and Glasgow over the past weeks.
Oxford Union has been contacted for comment.
