Charity condemns disgraced actor’s talk

5:40pm Friday 18th April 2008

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A children's charity has condemned a "disturbing" decision to invite disgraced comedian Chris Langham to talk at the Oxford Union.

Langham, who was jailed for downloading child pornography, accepted an invitation to talk about his life and career at the world famous debating chamber in Frewin Court on Tuesday, May 27.

The Bafta award winning star of The Thick Of It was released from prison in November, after serving three-and-a-half months of a 10 month sentence for 15 offences of downloading indecent images of children.

He was snared by police's anti-child abuse initiative Operation Ore after downloading images of children as young as eight. Some of the pictures were graded as level five - the most serious and degrading category.

Claude Knights, director of charity Kidscape, said she was concerned about the message sent out by the union's decision.

She said: "We do not feel we have the right to call for his withdrawal - everyone has the right to free speech - but we are disappointed, and it does reflect badly on the union.

"We are very concerned that so soon after someone has been convicted of these crimes they have been given a platform.

"I do not know why the Oxford Union feels this is appropriate - it's disturbing."

The Oxford Union attracted headlines in November, when it invited British National Party leader Nick Griffin and holocaust denier David Irving to speak in a debate about free speech.

About 1,000 demonstrators gathered at the union to protest.

Other guest speakers lined up for future talks at the chamber include Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, Conservative Party leader David Cameron, and actor Shaun Williamson - best known for playing Barry in TV soap EastEnders.

Ben Glazer, press officer for the union, said Langham would discuss his career before taking questions from the students.

He said: "We don't see there is any problem inviting him. He is a very successful comedy actor and should be very interesting.

"He has served his time, he has paid the price for his crimes and I am sure he wants to put that behind him and concentrate on his career."

Langham's agent declined to comment.