Tommy Robinson told he has 'no right to be here' at Oxford Union debate as he's humiliated by protesters

Tommy Robinson told he has 'no right to be here' at Oxford Union debate as he's humiliated by protesters The far-right agitator, fresh from stirring up trouble in Southampton and Belfast, was roundly rejected by members of the public as he attended an Oxford Union debate Tommy Robinson was left humiliated this week as he was deserted by supporters and left speaking to a nearly-empty auditorium during a controversial Oxford Union debate - while anti-racism activists turned out in droves to protest his appearance. The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was one of three people asked to attend one the world's best established debating societies on Wednesday to argue for the incendiary proposition: "This house believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam." The event, which was also attended by actor turned Yaxley-Lennon acolyte Laurence Fox, had captured significant public attention over its controversial subject matter and attracted a horde of protesters to Oxford yesterday evening. While they were given a significant platform to express their views, however, the Yaxley-Lennon camp were ultimately left speaking to a largely empty auditorium, and more than 100 protesters thundered outside while supporters of the far-right deserted the anti-migrant flagbearer for England's first World Cup game. Dozens of protesters gathered in New Inn Hall Street and Cornmarket Street on Wednesday night, occupying either side of St Michael Street where the event was taking place. The vast number of people gathered on the streets could be heard chanting “Oxford Union, shame, shame” as they outnumbered handful of counter-protesters on Cornmarket Street who had turned out to support Yaxley-Lennon. They could be seen clutching Stand Up To Racism placards as they linked arms outside the venue entrance, with two groups making it near-impossible to enter via either the front or back. The result was a sparsely attended event, according to the Daily Telegraph, which reported largely empty seats - just 60 in a room large enough to accommodate 400. The publication added that some would-be attendees were wrestled away by an electric, festival-like crowd chanting “Tommy Robinson has no right to be here”. Counter protesters, numbering around 30 men, launched into an X-rated chant about their dislike of Keir Starmer, while Thames Valley Police watched on. The group dwindled as the night went on and people left to watch England play Croatia in the World Cup. Ultimately, while protesters raged against the far-right, the demonstrations ended without any significant disruption as police separated the two groups with a cordon. The service said in a statement: “We work closely with a range of partners through well-established, safety advisory structures to ensure events take place safely and smoothly, while minimising disruption to our communities. We support freedom of speech and are working with the Oxford Union and other local stakeholders to facilitate this event and any associated peaceful protest." Inside the event, Yaxley-Lennon was opposed by activist Abdullah al Andalusi and former Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who on Wednesday released a video on YouTube explaining he believed it was "right" for the union to host Robinson. He said: “I think the best way to answer him is to debate with him. "You see, 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.” The former politician and GB News host argued the Oxford Union, a world-famous debating society, would be "pointless" without free speech and that it “exists to argue”. The debate was previously delayed over Yaxley-Lennon's invite, having been originally due to take place in May. Among those who opposed his participatin were the Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, and founder of the Oxford Foundation, Imam Monawar Hussain. The two said they were “disturbed and saddened” when he was invited to speak. Ian McKendrick, vice chairman of Oxford Stand Up To Racism, has previously accused Yaxley-Lennon of inciting “violent race riots” in Southampton, Belfast and Glasgow over the past weeks.