Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has called on Queen’s University Belfast to urgently review its decision not to host the Charlie Hebdo seminar this summer.
Mr Nesbitt, a former journalist who champions reform of Northern Ireland’s Defamation laws and the promotion of freedom of speech, believes urgent action is required to stop Northern Ireland again being labelled as an international backwater.
Mr Nesbitt said:
“There is something very peculiar about this decision not to host the seminar. The blame is being put at the feet of the Vice Chancellor, but from what I know of Paddy Johnston, this decision is totally out of tune.
“We are told the reason for cancellation is procedural, in that appropriate risk assessments have not been completed. If that is the case, I call on Queen’s to complete those assessments as a matter of urgency, and reinstate the event on the planned date, or as soon thereafter as possible.
“Queen’s has hosted a serving President of the United States in the past. I refuse to accept they cannot manage security protocols.
“If Queen’s do not reverse their decision, I understand at least some of the speakers booked for the event will come to Belfast anyway and hold the event at another venue. If it comes to that, I shall do what I can in conjunction with freedom of speech groups to make that happen, but I hope Professor Johnston and Queen’s University will make it unnecessary by reinstating the seminar and restoring the University’s international reputation as a leading seat of learning, debate and progressive thinking.”