Carl Benjamin disinvited from Oxford Union amid backlash from FemSoc and IHH

On Thursday, the Oxford Union held a debate on the motion ‘This House Believes That Being British is a ‘Birthright’, Not a Choice’. Carl Benjamin, who had been scheduled to speak, was disinvited from the event shortly before it took place. 

In a video posted on YouTube an hour after the debate was due to start, Benjamin said he had received an email “this [Thursday] morning” informing him that his invitation had been rescinded. A screenshot of the email, shown in the video, states that the decision followed concerns raised by a “partner organisation” to the Oxford Union regarding what the email described as a “direct threat of sexual violence against a woman in public office”. The email added that, while the Union is committed to free speech, “the right to free speech does not and has never extended to threatening sexual violence against others”.

In the video, Benjamin disputed this characterisation, stating that he had “never made a direct threat of sexual violence against anyone” and describing the allegations as “a lie”. He added that he did not consider the issue to be one of free speech, saying the Union “can invite or disinvite whoever they like” but that “they’ve made these allegations against me, which would consist of a crime, in order, I guess, to just blacken my name”.

Benjamin, who had been scheduled to speak for the proposition alongside Eric Kaufmann, had faced opposition from student groups in the lead-up to the debate. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, It Happens Here Oxford and Oxford Feminist Society said they “firmly uphold the principles of freedom of speech” but expressed “strong reservations” about Benjamin’s invitation. The groups cited his past comments about sexual violence, including multiple remarks directed at Labour MP Jess Philips, as well as allegations of harassment of women online. They also raised concerns about previous racist, homophobic, and antisemitic remarks attributed to him. The statement argued that his presence would not be “conducive to the safety of Oxford students”, particularly women, LGBTQ+ students, and ethnic minorities, and called for the invitation to be withdrawn.

Despite the late change to the speakers, the debate proceeded with political scientist and author Professor Eric Kaufmann; and two student speakers. They were opposed by Sir Vince Cable, former leader of the Liberal Democrats; Albie Amankona, broadcaster and co-founder of Conservatives Against Racism for Equality; Sangita Mysa, journalist and radio presenter; and Chief of Staff at the Oxford Union, Charlotte Wild.

This follows a series of similar controversies, including the cancellation of an event hosting Namal Rajapaksa last term after backlash, as well as criticism over invitations to Kevin Spacey and Dizzee Rascal last year.

The Oxford Union has been approached for comment.

Additional reporting by Barnaby Carter, Ned Remington, and Hattie Simpson.