Human rights activist latest to cancel Oxford Union appearance

She joins Robert Noble, Interpol secretarygeneral, David Mepham, the UK director of Human Rights Watch and Julie Meyer, the American entrepreneur and judge on the BBC's Dragons' Den, who also cancelled their appearances at the union this week.

Ben Sullivan, a 21yearold student at Christ Church college, resumed his post as Oxford Union president just over a week after his arrest by police on suspicion of rape and attempted rape of two undergraduates. He was released without charge and is currently on bail.

Baroness Lawrence and the singer Paloma Faith are among those who have been urged to withdraw from speaking at the Oxford Union. Other people lined up for this term are Uri Geller and the retired US general, David Petraeus.

Students began a boycott and on May 20 published an open letter calling for Mr Sullivan to step down. Caroline Criado Perez, who campaigned for women to appear on bank notes, and the Leftwing blogger Laurie Penny, were among thoise who signed the letter/

The Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Pamela Anderson have all appeared at the debating society in the past.

A C Grayling, a Professor of Philosophy, has criticised a boycott of the union as he said the principle of innocent until proven guilty must be upheld and the president should not be subject to "the kangaroo court of opinion."

Following Mr Sullivan's arrest on May 6, he was called in by police for questioning but was released on bail until June 18. He denies the allegations.

Link:
Human rights activist latest to cancel Oxford Union appearance