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Attendees at Wednesday’s controversial Oxford Union debate on whether the West should be “suspicious of Islam” – which will host the far-right agitator Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (known as Tommy Robinson) – are being screened by Thames Valley Police to avoid disruption, Byline Times understands.
A former senior official made the claim, which has not been denied by the Union, telling this outlet: “They are selecting which members will go in ahead of time…They said you must apply for a ticket. You will be issued a ticket because of security reasons, and you will not be admitted if you have not been issued a ticket, even if you are a member…This is [based on] screening done by Thames Valley Police…That is extraordinary.”
They suggested background checks will be conducted on attendees without their knowledge.
Several streets will be closed surrounding the event tonight, amid protests and a tense atmosphere in the local community. The closed streets include pubs which were hoping for a bumper night on what is the England football team’s first World Cup game.
One pub affected, The Jolly Farmers, posted a plea to organisers earlier this week, calling on them to cancel the event.
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The venue’s team wrote on Facebook: “Could you explain please, in the light of recent violent activity in cities across our country, why you still feel it appropriate to go ahead with the Debate on Wednesday evening which includes, at your invitation, Tommy Robinson? The right to debate issues and the right to free speech are, of course, sacrosanct, but the ensuing chaos and trouble that is believed to be heading to this beautiful, welcoming, world city of Oxford is surely reason alone to rescind the invite…
“Pubs are deciding to close for the day. Businesses are boarding up windows. The Police are visiting venues with warnings of risk.
“Businesses are going to suffer. Communities are going to suffer. Our reputation as a city is going to suffer.
“We respectfully ask you to rescind this invitation and show true leadership and a duty of care to the city you call home.”
Another pub affected, The White Rabbit, posted on Instagram and on its door: “Dear customers, due to the expected unrest in Oxford city centre this Wednesday 17th June, and in solidarity with other independent businesses, we will be closed from 3.30pm. This is to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. We are really sorry.”
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They called it a “difficult decision”, adding: “We hope everyone in Oxford stays safe this Wednesday.”
Local Lib Dem MP Layla Moran has also come out to condemn the event, writing on Tuesday that the event “has caused deep concern across Oxfordshire.”
“At a time when many communities are already feeling vulnerable, inflammatory rhetoric risks increasing fear, division and hostility towards people who simply want to live safely and contribute to the places they call home. Our first priority is to stand in solidarity with those communities who have been targeted or made to feel unwelcome.
“Oxfordshire is strongest when it is inclusive, respectful and united, and we must all play our part in protecting those values.”
But the union’s president, Arwa Elrayess, a Palestinian woman, has been resolute in pushing for the event to go ahead, on the grounds of free speech, despite facing a no confidence motion earlier this month, which failed.
She is understood to defend the event partly on the basis that Robinson previously addressed the Oxford Union in 2016, in a format that effectively allowed him to give largely-interrupted monologue. However, this was before a string of subsequent convictions for the anti-Islam activist.
The event is also proceeding in spite of Robinson’s devices being seized under counter-terrorism legislation on his return from Moscow last week, where he met Elon Musk’s father, Errol, and pledged from Russia to cause “trouble” in Britain.
Robinson has been strongly condemned for promoting anti-migrant protests across the UK, which turned violent in Belfast during two nights of racist rioting, with dozens of arson attacks on homes, cars and businesses.
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The Union’s Response
Responding to a series of detailed questions by Byline Times, a spokesperson for the Oxford Union – run by students as one of the world’s most prestigious debating societies – did not deny the claim that attendees were being vetted by Thames Valley Police, saying only that the police had no role “allocating tickets or in drawing up the lists of attendees.” That suggests the Oxford Union may be determining who attends based on security advice from the local police force.
Former Conservative cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg is a trustee of Oxford Literary and Debating Union Charitable Trust. He is also understood to be speaking against Tommy Robinson tonight.
Rees-Mogg invited the union’s President, Arwa Elrayess, onto his show earlier this month to discuss the event, amid rumours of its cancellation. He appeared to have detailed insider information of the event logistics and planning. One former union source described his level of operational involvement as an independent trustee as “unusual.” Rees-Mogg has been contacted for comment.
The Union also failed to deny claims that it had shared details of its communications with Thames Valley Police with Robinson, fellow anti-Islam speaker (and former actor) Laurence Fox, or their representatives. The spokesperson said: “We are necessarily liaising with both Thames Valley Police and our invited speakers in connection with the security planning for the event.”
On the issue of vetting, the Oxford Union representative added: “While we normally permit members to attend events without prior ticketing, and provide opportunities for members to bring guests or for non-members to attend, we routinely exclude non-members and guests, and/or run ticketing ballots, for events where demand is expected to exceed capacity.
“In this instance, we are only offering tickets to members, and demand significantly exceeded the number of tickets available. For the safety of our members and guests, we will not be commenting on the details of security arrangements or liaison with police and other stakeholders, but it is untrue that the police had a role in allocating tickets, or in drawing up the lists of attendees (nor indeed were they involved in preparing the seating plan for the debate dinner).”
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Cost to the Taxpayer
Oxford City Council Leader Councillor Susan Brown this week issued a public statement saying a large-scale security operation is being prepared for Wednesday, involving extensive police resources and road closures, causing “considerable disruption for local residents and businesses” at “substantial cost.” She has called for the Oxford Union to meet the full costs of the event rather than “leaving Oxford taxpayers to pay”.
A spokesperson for the Oxford Union responded: “We are aware that figures opposed to the event taking place, including the leader of Oxford City Council, have issued statements. We respect the right of individuals to make their views heard, but you would need to contact them for clarification of their remarks. The Oxford Union Society continues to work with local stakeholders, including police and local authorities, regarding operational arrangements for this event, and we are grateful to our partners for their continued constructive engagement.”
The event has already been postponed from the 28th May. Its new date, 17th June, falls on the Islamic New Year.
Confirmed speakers for the debate are Michael Doward, Abdullah al Andalusi, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Jonathan Sacerdoti, Laurence Fox, and Tommy Robinson.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We work closely with a range of partners through well-established safety advisory structures to ensure events take place safely and smoothly, while minimising disruption to our communities.
“We support freedom of speech and are working with the Oxford Union and other local stakeholders to facilitate this event and any associated peaceful protest.“
The spokesperson would not comment on the costs of policing, and said road closures were an issue for the council.
The force has confirmed that a significant police presence is expected in Oxford city centre from 3.30pm on Wednesday 17 June, due to the event. There will be road closures on St Michael Street, Queen Street, Cornmarket Street, Market Street and Ship Street. A protest against the debate is being held and is likely to draw large crowds.
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