Oxford University students have joined the Oxford Mail in calling on the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation to controversial historian David Irving.

Mr Irving, branded a racist by opponents for claiming that the Holocaust did not happen, is due to speak to the Oxford Union on May 10 in a debate entitled "This house would restrict the free speech of extremists".

However, Oxford University Student Union president Kirsty McNeill has urged the debating society to call off the visit, saying she was appalled that Mr Irving had been invited.

She said: "I am outraged that the union has given such a public platform to David Irving. He is revelling in the publicity this will give to his abhorrent views.

"Many student members of the Union are disgusted that their membership fees will be spent on a lavish dinner and hospitality for a man whose views they detest. "

A spokesman for the Oxford Union said: "We believe in freedom of speech. We had Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams when there was a ban on broadcasting his speeches and we had Malcolm X when he was banned from speaking in American universities. There has been concern. We have had e-mails. The overwhelming response is that the debate should go ahead."

Supt Keith Ringsell, of Oxford police, said they were assessing the impact of the visit and there was nothing to suggest, at present, that there would be large-scale opposition.