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University cancels Islamic anti-Semitism lecture
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A university said today it had cancelled a lecture on Islamic anti-Semitism on health and safety grounds and stressed it was committed to promoting free debate.
German academic Matthias Kuentzel was due to give a public lecture at the University of Leeds but was told it had been called off.
Today, the university dismissed suggestions it was because of security concerns.
Dr Kuentzel, a political scientist, has lectured around the world on the anti-Semitic ideology of extreme Islamist groups.
In a statement, the university said: "The decision to cancel a public lecture by Dr Kuentzel has nothing to do with academic freedom, freedom of speech, anti-Semitism or Islamophobia, and those claiming that is the case are making mischief.
"Nor is the university bowing to protests or threats from interest groups or individuals.
"The lecture has been cancelled on safety grounds alone and because - contrary to our rules and protocols - no assessment of risk to people or property was carried out, no stewarding arrangements were in place and the university was not given sufficient notice to ensure safety and public order."
The lecture, entitled Hitler's Legacy: Islamic anti-Semitism in the Middle East, was organised by the university's German department.
The university stressed it had hosted talks in recent months by controversial speakers from both sides of the Middle East conflict.
The statement continued: "We value academic freedom and remain committed to promoting and positively encouraging free debate, inquiry and, indeed, protest.
"We tolerate a wide range of views, political as well as academic, even when they are unpopular, controversial or provocative.
"Where meetings are potentially controversial, we have a duty to protect the safety of participants in the event, and other people within the vicinity, and to ensure that public order is maintained.
"The university cannot allow an event to take place without the necessary arrangements in place."
Copyright Press Association 2007
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