A group of protesters have broken through a security cordon and forced their way into the Oxford Union where BNP leader Nick Griffin and controversial historian David Irving were due to speak about the limits of free speech.

After pushing and shoving their way through the doors into the hall, around 20 demonstrators staged a sit down protest and began chanting at the debating table.

The two controversial speakers had arrived early, accompanied by bodyguards, in a bid to avoid confrontation with the protesters.

As he arrived, Mr Irving, who had been invited seven times before and each time the invitation had been withdrawn, said: "I'm very glad to be here."

Fearing bloody clashes between the protesters and far-right groups Thames Valley Police had drafted in large numbers of officers to control the demonstration.

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