AN OXFORD professor has hit back at students who have called for him to be sacked because of links to an immigration think-tank.

Oxford Student Action for Refugees has circulated a petition calling for the removal of Prof David Coleman, a leading expert in demographics, because of his connections with MigrationWatch. The students are circulating the petition, claiming that as MigrationWatch has warned about the potentially negative effects of present and future immigration, it is inherently racist.

The petition has not yet been presented to the university itself.

Prof Coleman has condemned what he called "a shameful attack on academic independence and freedom of speech".

He told The Oxford Times he was "upset" the petition was being circulated and added that it was "insane" to suggest his research was in any way racist.

He said: "This is a result of ignorance driven by prejudice. It is completely out of the question me resigning. It is a shameful attempt, of the most intolerant and totalitarian kind, to suppress the freedom of analysis and informed comment."

Modern history and politics student Kieran Hutchinson Dean, 19, one of the students behind the petition, said the aim was to invite debate.

He added: "We are not expecting the professor to be sacked straight away, but we are asking that he refrains from using his academic status when promoting his own views."

Prof Coleman said he had advised MigrationWatch "from time to time" but was not a spokesman for the think-tank, which has no links to any political party.

Maria Coyle, a spokesman for Oxford University, said no petition had been received by the university. She added: "Freedom of speech is a fundamental right respected by the university."