Activist Benn to address Trinity students

British politician Tony Benn will address students at Dublin’s Trinity College today.

Mr Benn, 82, who holds strong views against the war in Iraq and served as president of the Stop The War Coalition in 2004, will speak at the Historical Society’s debate on the topic War, Religion and Democracy.

The address by the veteran left-wing activist will herald the start of this week’s Trinity InterVarsity, which claims to be Ireland’s largest and most prestigious debating competition.

The prolific diarist, who retired from politics in 2001, will also take part in the debate on the state funding of religious education.

Guest speakers at the university in recent months included former Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown, actor Al Pacino and Booker Prize-winning writer John Banville.

Former Miss World Rosanna Davison is also due to chair a debate next week.

Church of Ireland Archbishop Dr John Neill will be a guest chairman of the debate.