UCC withdraws far-right politician’s invitation

Almost 40 UCC academics last night welcomed the decision to withdraw an invitation to British far-right leader Nick Griffin to take part in a university debate on free speech.

Mr Griffin, MEP and chairman of the British National Party (BNP), had been invited to a debate on campus on Feb 23 entitled ‘The Importance of Free Speech in Modern Society’.

But the university’s Government and Politics Society pulled the invitation following submissions from staff and gardaí, who outlined a potential threat to the safety and welfare of students and the public.