The Oxford Union today cancelled a debate featuring British National Party chairman John Tyndall after police raised security fears.

The debating society had invited the extreme right-wing leader to speak in the debate on racism on May 17.

But in the wake of nail bomb attacks on two areas of London with high ethnic minority populations, Thames Valley Police warned against inviting Mr Tyndall to take part.

The decision to cancel the debate was taken by the union's governing body. A spokesman for the Oxford Union said: "This is not a victory for those who objected to the principle of extending an invitation to Mr Tyndall, rather it is a sad day for all those who believe that violence or the threat of violence has no part to play in modern society."

He said that despite its fundamental belief in freedom of speech, the union had to recognise that the safety of members, guests and the local community was paramount.

He added: "Thames Valley Police were unprepared to provide sufficient security to protect our premises and demanded that the union pay for policing costs that the union's limited resources cannot meet. "If this debate were to go ahead, given the attitude of the police, the cost of implementing effective security and the threat from extremist organisations, there would be a worrying likelihood of opening the Pandora's Box of violent confrontation on the streets of Oxford, with a risk of injury and damage to property."

The invitation to Mr Tyndall was made before the recent bomb attacks in Brixton and Tower Hamlets, the spokesman said. The debate, on the motion "this house believes that racism is inevitable", was also due to feature broadcaster Nick Fraser and London School of Economics anthropologist Prof Peter Liozas.

Thames Valley Police said it had advised the union the debate was "inappropriate" in view of the recent attacks.

Story date: Tuesday 27 April

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