Last
updated: 21/09/05
University suspends student
union president
Middlesex
University has suspended their student union president and revoked his
student status until further notice after he refused to cancel a debate
with the controversial Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir .
Keith Shilson
was escorted from the campus by university security in what is believed
to be the first disciplinary action to be taken against a student over
the issue of Islamic extremism.
The union was ordered to cancel the debate last week, but they refused.
Mr Shilson argued that the debate should go ahead on the grounds of
free speech. He claims the group, which is considered by some to be
extremist and was proscribed by the prime minister last month, is a
non-violent organisation.
Hizb ut-Tahrir has been banned by the National Union of Students (NUS)
because, according to NUS policy, the group is 'responsible for supporting
terrorism and publishing material that incites racial hatred'.
Last term Middlesex student union overturned the NUS ban.
The university confirmed to the Guardian that Mr Shilson was suspended
until further notice, giving the reason that he refused to comply with
the university's demands over the debate.
In a statement made Wednesday 21 September, the union said, "In
light of recent events and the press releases from MUSU and Middlesex
University regarding the invitation to Hizb ut-Tahrir for a debate at
the Hendon campus. Middlesex University student union has withdrawn
its invitation to the speakers of the debate and the debate is cancelled."
The move follows education secretary Ruth Kelly's appeal for universities
to crack down on extremism on campus. Ms Kelly said that vice-chancellors
would have to 'identify and confront' extremism on campus.
