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Oxford Union 'cancels' Chris Langham appearance

26/04/2008

A controversial plan for actor Chris Langham to speak at the Oxford Union has reportedly been cancelled over fears that the event would attract protestors.

The award-winning actor had been scheduled to talk at the prestigious debating chamber in May about his arrest for downloading child pornography.

But after considering the potential for demonstrations similar to those seen when BNP leader Nick Griffin when he spoke in 2007, the union has reputedly decided to cancel Langham's speech.

Ben Glazer, spokesman for the Oxford Union, told the BBC the "negative press" was overshadowing the lineup of speakers scheduled for this term, including Geri Halliwell and Conservative party leader David Cameron.

"After protests last term with the BNP we didn't want to upset anyone," he explained.

"We probably should have realised the uproar it would cause but hindsight is a great thing, it was probably a mistake."

Langham, 58, was first arrested in November 2005 after child pornography videos were discovered on his computers at his home in Cranbrook, Kent.

The arrest came as the actor was at the height of his fame after receiving critical acclaim and multiple awards for his BBC satirical comedy The Thick of It.

After being jailed at Maidstone crown court in September after being convicted on 15 counts of downloading child pornography, he spent three months in jail before being released when his sentence was reduced on appeal.