Tommy Robinson debate ends in chaos after violent clashes outside Oxford Union

Police dragged protesters against far-right figure Tommy Robinson in violent clashes in Oxford.

Tommy Robinson appeared after much delay at the Oxford Union where figures like Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, and OJ Simpson have spoken.

Part of Oxford was in a lockdown ahead of the controversial debate around Islam involving Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

Former Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who opposed Robinson in the debate, posted on X minutes before the event was scheduled to start: ‘Please could the Thames Valley Police allow people into the Oxford Union. Protesters are blocking the entrances while law and order is not being upheld.’

The debate went ahead in a reduced capacity in the end, with sources inside reporting that the union chamber was ‘half empty.’

It finally concluded at around 1am – four hours later than expected.

Despite the late finish, protesters continued to picket the exit routes. A few masked demonstrators chanted ‘shove your Union up your arse,’ and ‘whose streets? our streets’ at those leaving the debate.

Before the event, clashes outside took a violent turn as an anti-Robinson protester was kicked in the head, while another one was punched in the face.

Robinson’s invitation to discuss whether the West is ‘right to be suspicious of Islam’ along with Laurence Fox has caused outrage and calls for the talk to be canceled.

Rees-Mogg, activist Abdullah al Andalusi, and podcaster Michael Doward opposed the right-wing pair.

Protesters against and supporting Robinson gathered near the union building, which has been cordoned off with crowd control barriers.

An anti-Robinson demonstrator was kicked in the head and another one was punched in the face when violence broke out as a group of attendees, who claimed to have been invited by the Union president, began to push their way through.

Thames Valley Police responded on X that the protests outside blocked some guests from the building.

‘The decision to suspend entry to the event was taken by the event organizers, not the police,’ the force said.

Protester Tammy Samuels, 23, had traveled from Cardiff to oppose Robinson’s participation.

She said: ‘He’s vile. I cannot believe such a prestigious organization as this has allowed him here. I saw that poor bloke have his head kicked.’

Anti-racist groups shouted ‘Oxford is anti-fascist’ and ‘racist scum off our streets.’

One attendee who had been denied entry and wished to remain nameless said: ‘It’s really disappointing. As I’m not from the UK, I actually only found out who Tommy Robinson was yesterday.

‘I just wanted to go and see a healthy and constructive debate’.

An earlier march organized by Stand Up To Racism and other groups was awash with signs against Robinson, with slogans like ‘No Islamophobia, no antisemitism’ and ‘Stop the far-right’ emblazoned on signs.

Robinson supporters carrying Union Jack and St George’s flags had gathered outside the union entrance, separated from the protesters by police and private security.

The two camps were seen trying to breach through the security cordon to get to each other.

They shouted abuse like ‘never trust a lefty with your kids’ at the anti-racist protesters.

One attendee at the debate, Alex Hernandez, a second-year law student, said that he wanted to see ‘genuinely engaging conversation’ at the event, which was due to start at 8.30pm. 

‘Ultimately the conversation should be had and should be listened to. It starts to get a bit dangerous when people start getting no-platformed,’ he said.

The MP for Oxford East, Anneliese Dodds, accused the union of giving a ‘loudspeaker’ to the far-right through Robinson.

Oxford’s city council has insisted that the union should foot the bill for the security operation surrounding their event.

Leader of Oxford City Council, Susan Brown, said: ‘I am deeply concerned by The Oxford Union’s decision to host Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, at its debate on Wednesday.

‘Oxford is a proudly diverse, multicultural city. Whilst we are committed to free speech and open debate, that must be balanced against ensuring all our residents can live free from hatred, intimidation, and harm.

‘Faith leaders and members of our communities have already voiced their strong opposition to this invitation, and I stand with them. I urge the Oxford Union to reflect seriously on the consequences of its choices – not only for its own reputation but the message this event sends about Oxford and its values.

‘A large-scale security operation is being prepared, involving extensive police resources and road closures. This will cause considerable disruption for local residents and businesses, and comes at a substantial cost. The Oxford Union must meet the full costs of staging their event, rather than leaving Oxford’s taxpayers to pick up the bill.’

At the end of the debate, Rees-Mogg said: ‘Everyone’s quite keen to go home, but we’ve outlasted the protesters.

‘I need to allow people to go home and go to bed.’