Free debate 'will tackle extremism'

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said the Oxford Union was right to stage a debate on Monday with BNP leader Nick Griffin and controversial historian David Irving.

While universities must tackle the genuine threat posed by violent extremists, the best way to address the problem is through free and open debate, he said.

In a speech to the Fabian Society, Mr Rammell said: "I do not want to overstate the menace that we face from violent extremism. But we do face a threat. Those who deny it are naive and just plain wrong in failing to recognise the reality of the threat."

Mr Rammell said academics should be free to study the causes of violent extremism. "It is entirely acceptable and indeed necessary for academics to seek to understand and explain why suicide bombers do what they do. What is not acceptable is to encourage other people to blow themselves up."

He continued: "Some academics will conclude that some violent extremism is rooted in deeper social, political, religious or economic problems.

"Some may even argue that it is justified. Again, the space for inquiry must be rigorously defended, so long as they are open and open to challenge and so long as the legal restrictions on the promotion of violent extremism are respected.

"There is a clear distinction here between views that you or I might find deeply offensive and actions that are criminal or support criminal activity."

On Monday protesters disrupted the Oxford Union debates with Mr Griffin and Mr Irving as angry scenes engulfed the historic university town.

But Mr Rammell said he did not support boycotts and "no-platform policies". "I wouldn't want to legislate against Nick Griffin and David Irving speaking at a university," he said. "Give people the chance to challenge their views through free debate. Not the criminals, but those whose words remain within the law, whether they come from extreme religious groups, the BNP, the Animal Liberation Front or elsewhere. And let their views be exposed and challenged for the falsehoods they are."