NEARLY 200 Oxford academics, students, councillors and trade union leaders have signed an open letter calling for the Oxford Union to cancel an invitation to the former leader of the English Defence League to speak.

Tommy Robinson was supposed to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday but has postponed his appearance until a later date.

The letter – started by Oxford Unite Against Fascism – says the group will protest outside the society in St Michael’s Street if Mr Robinson appears, despite the fact that he has since left and denounced the group he founded.

It reads: “Robinson is trying to present himself as a reformed character, after abandoning his leadership of the EDL after it collapsed following a campaign by anti-fascist and anti-racist organisations.

A spokesman for the Oxford Union said Mr Robinson had said he was no longer available on Thursday and it had been decided to rearrange the event. Mr Robinson was previously invited last year but cancelled amid security concerns.

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