Nick Griffin's TCD invitation withdrawn

There was much controversy (presumably that was the ill-judged point) when Trinity College's Philosophical Society extended an invitation to Nick Griffin, the leader of Britain's far-right National Party, to come over and address its members. After much campaigning by students, staff, lecturers and anti-racism campaigners, it has been announced that his visit will no longer go ahead.

An e-mail campaign and public meeting highlighted the fact that his presence could tarnish TCD's reputation as a welcoming place for international students. Griffin is a convicted holocaust denier and has called for violence against 'non-white.

The Socialist Worker Student Society welcomed today's news, with Madeleine Johansson (of the SWSS and Anti Racism Network) commenting:

"Only last Wednesday a Polish family was attacked in Co Antrim, and a pipe bomb placed on their house. The BNP have previously attempted to organise in the republic and it is clear that in all places where they have been there has been an increase in violence towards minorities. The invitation to TCD would have given them an opportunity to organise, with many ordinary people forced to live with the consequence of this. This is not a question of freedom of speech or academic debate, but of the right of migrants and minorities to live in safety."