Protests erupted in Oxford last night as Tommy Robinson debated Islam at the Oxford Union, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering outside the historic debating society to voice their opposition to his appearance.
Campaigners bearing Antifa logos and slogans, many wearing masks and Palestinian keffiyehs, filled St Michael’s Street holding banners reading “Stop the Far Right” and chanting “Oxford Union, shame, shame.” Others shouted “refugees are welcome here” and “racist scum off our streets.” The protest was organised by Oxford Stand Up to Racism and Women Against The Far Right. A smaller group of counter-protesters waving Union Jacks emerged, separated from the main demonstration by a police cordon, with numerous officers present in the area.
According to a report in The Times, some members of the Oxford Union were physically blocked from entering the building. Anti-Robinson protesters reportedly hurled water bottles at his supporters and were seen booing police officers. Demonstrators linked arms to block access to the street where the Union is located, aiming to prevent ticket holders from entering. Laurence Fox, a speaker at the event who has been described as a fellow far‑right voice, emerged from a back entrance and provoked the crowds, who shouted him down and began to block the entrance.
Oxford City Council closed St Michael’s Street to vehicles and pedestrians between 4pm and 11pm on Wednesday. A statement from the council said a small number of bus routes operated slight diversions but no bus stops were affected. Several pubs and businesses in the area closed early due to the anticipated unrest. Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, expressed concern about the disruption and cost to local residents and businesses, stating that the Oxford Union should cover the full costs of the security operation. One protester estimated the policing bill at £80,000.
Political reactions
Sir Jacob Rees‑Mogg, who opposed Robinson in the debate, said the Oxford Union was right to host the activist. “I think the best way to answer him is to debate with him,” he said. “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 argued the Union would be “pointless” without free speech, adding that the society “exists to argue”.
Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, criticised the decision, telling the BBC: “The city centre should have been buzzing tonight with people coming together to support our team with England’s first match in the World Cup. Instead, pubs are closing early and people are warning their family and friends not to risk going into the city centre.” Green Party councillor Chris Jarvis said the Union should never have invited Robinson. “Everyone is entitled to free speech… What they are not entitled to is a platform and the Oxford Union has chosen to platform far‑right figures.”
Student Alex Hernandez, who attended the protest, told the Daily Mail he wanted to see “genuinely engaging conversation” at the event. “Ultimately the conversation should be had and should be listened to. It starts to get a bit dangerous when people start getting no‑platformed.”
The Oxford Union’s independent structure
The Oxford Union is run independently of the University of Oxford, granting life memberships to students of the university but operating as a separate entity. The job of inviting guests falls to the Union’s president, who serves for just a single eight‑week academic term. The current president is Arwa Elrayess, the first Palestinian to hold the role. Explaining the decision to invite Robinson, she told GB News: “When we were thinking about this debate, we wanted to look for the figures who very much symbolised – if not the figureheads of – these views to challenge them directly. We couldn’t think of anyone who is louder and more unashamed about those views than Tommy Robinson. The idea was — why not go directly for the person who is most vocal about these views and states them most confidently?”
The debate, originally scheduled for 28 May 2026, was postponed due to security concerns and outcry before being rescheduled to 17 June – the Islamic New Year. The motion was: “This House Believes the West is Right to be Suspicious of Islam.” Other speakers included Laurence Fox, Michael Doward, Abdullah al Andalusi and Jonathan Sacerdoti. Thames Valley Police said it supported freedom of speech as demonstrations unfolded and confirmed it was working with the Oxford Union and other local stakeholders to organise the event.
Recent controversies at the Oxford Union
The debating society has faced a number of internal controversies this year. Catherine Xu, president‑elect for Michaelmas 2026, was permanently barred from holding office after an Election Tribunal found she orchestrated a scheme to impersonate legitimate voters during the Hilary Term 2026 election. Xu denied the findings and alleged racism and harassment. Another president‑elect, George Abaraonye, resigned after he was caught celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk. He claimed to have received threats of violence and alleged the campaign against him was “racist.”
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Christopher Yaxley‑Lennon, is a British far‑right activist and co‑founder of the English Defence League. He has a history of criminal convictions including assault, threats, harassment and fraud, and has served prison terms. Shortly before the debate he was detained at Heathrow Airport under the Counter‑Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, with his phone seized. Robinson has previously been linked to inciting riots, including in Southport following the death of Henry Nowak. Protest placards also referenced his recent visit to Russia, with slogans dubbing him “Putin’s Poster Boy.”
The Oxford Union, founded in 1823 as an independent forum for unrestricted debate, has a long‑standing commitment to free speech. Notable past debates include the 1933 motion “That this House would under no circumstances fight for its King and country” and a speech by Malcolm X on extremism. A debate on Kashmir independence in 2024 also drew controversy and protests.
