London, Thursday, April 19, 2001

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[Longer version; click for edited print version]

Irving to speak at Oxford Union

Holocaust denier will debate with libel case QC

Will Woodward,
education editor

THE Oxford Union came under fire last night for inviting David Irving, the Holocaust denier, to address students in a debate with the barrister who faced him across the high court.

Mr Irving will contest the motion that "this house would restrict the free speech of extremists" at the famous university debating chamber on May 10.

Richard Rampton QC, who successfully defended the academic Deborah Lipstadt last year after her book had accused Mr Irving of being a Holocaust denier. The judge, Mr Justice Gray, agreed and ruled Mr Irving was "an anti-semite and a racist... a right-wing pro-Nazi polemicist".

Mr Irving, who represented himself in the libel trial, is due for a further court encounter with Mr Rampton when he seeks leave to appeal against the verdict.

An invitation from the union last year for Mr Irving to speak was cancelled after protests. The union said last night that this time it intended to fulfil the invitation and had contacted Thames Valley police. Claire Dissington, of the Anti-Nazi League, said her organisation would try to prevent the debate and would put pressure on other speakers.

"They know what they are doing and they are playing with fire," said Ms Dissington. "The only reason they have heard of David Irving is because he denied the Holocaust. There are plenty of other people who could debate freedom of speech. I'm appalled, I am quite amazed they are giving him a platform."

Michael Whinge, spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: "I wouldn't have thought that the Oxford Union would learn very much of general importance from David Irving, considering that the courts have proved him to be a falsifier of history and a promoter of Hitler." He added: "I am really surprised that Richard Rampton is giving him any credence whatsoever by appearing on the platform with him."

Mr Rampton said last night: "I have no problem appearing in a debate of that kind against him. As a professional advocate, and for the purpose of this debate, I have no feelings about him at all.

"I think these arguments are best won largely speaking by open debate. He as a person is quite irrelevant to the topic I am going to discuss, as is the fact he was on the other side of a legal action last year. I don't think it prevents him or me from debating a general motion of that kind."

Mr Rampton added: "I'm obviously not going to discuss the case ... He may try, but I shall not respond. I won't be getting into that except by implication."

Mr Irving said: "I have a great speech prepared ... I don't think Rampton will be able to persuade the students of Oxford that opposing free speech will be a good thing." Asked about the likely protests, Mr Irving said: "These are worms. We've seen these worms before, and they have never managed to stop me speaking. But it is a problem that the university may be easily intimidated."

In a statement, Amy Harland, president of the Union, said: "These complex issues have not been properly debated for some time. I believe this line-up of speakers will reflect all viewpoints. I hope that something of substance will come from both sides.

"In this media dominated age, freedom of speech will always be a controversial issue. This is especially the case where this basic freedom comes into conflict with our common desire to live in a tolerant society. Whatever the outcome of this debate, if Britain is to be a free and diverse nation, this is an issue that needs to be addressed."

The union said that John Sentamu, bishop of Stepney, would also speak for the motion, and Rohan Jayasekera, director of the Index on Censorship, would speak against.

Related items on this website:

 Action Report on the invitation [with links to press clippings about previous such invitations]