Controversial author Salman Rushdie will be one of several famous names visiting the Oxford Union during the next couple of months, writes Steve Hartley.

The best selling author - who became the victim of a Muslim fatwah following the publication of The Satanic Verses - will be discussing his new book, The Ground Beneath Her Feet, in the run up to the Booker Prize.

The date of his visit will be announced nearer the time due to security reasons. Other top celebrities heading to the union between May and June include award-winning lyricist Tim Rice who will be talking about his new project Aida: The Musical on Wednesday, May 12; editor of Vogue magazine Alexandra Shulman on Thursday, May 20; shadow trade and industry secretary John Redwood on Friday, June 4; Sir Robin Day on Monday, June 7; Ken Livingstone MP on Friday, June 11 and former Australian rugby star Michael Lynagh on Wednesday, June 16.

Scheduled debates include "This House believes that America is a rogue nation" on Thursday, May 6; "This House believes that the media is more powerful than the Government" on Thursday, May 27 and "This House would be famous" featuring publicist Max Clifford and nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow, on Thursday, June 17.

Story date: Monday 03 May

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