Oxford don barred from speaking at feminist history event as fallout over her ‘transphobic’ remarks

An Oxford historian, who was given bodyguards after threats from trans activists, has been barred from speaking at a feminist history event.

Selina Todd, a professor in Modern History at St Hilda’s College, had been provided with security last month after allegedly making ‘transphobic’ remarks.

And in the latest twist, she was ‘no platformed’ at an Oxford event about the women’s liberation movement, due to criticism from trans opponents.

The prominent feminist historian had been accompanied to lectures by the ‘two big burly guys’ after infuriating some trans-rights activists.

She later warned that ‘democracy is under threat’ due to the violent reaction of pro-trans activists when their beliefs are challenged.

Trans-rights campaigners were believed to have taken issue with her ties to the women’s rights group Woman’s Place UK – which some claim to be ‘transphobic’.

And in a move that was strongly condemned by the university and met with outcry by many other feminists, the author was barred from Friday’s event at Exeter College commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ruskin College’s inaugural Women’s Liberation Conference.

In a statement addressing the cancellation Professor Todd said: ‘I am shocked to have been no-platformed by this event, organised by Oxford International Women’s Festival and hosted at Exeter College. I was asked to participate in October 2019, and I explained to the organisers that some trans activists may object to my being there,’ she said.

‘I was then told that trans activists had already expressed hostility towards the event because they claimed second-wave feminism is inherently trans-exclusionary.’ Among those who spoke out against her exclusion was campaigner Julie Bindel, who told the organisers: ‘You should hang your heads in shame for giving into this mob.’

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has made protecting free speech on university campuses – and stamping out ‘no platforming’ – one of his priorities.

Last night, the Times reported the Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh had lodged a complaint with the Universities Minister about suppression of free speech at the event.

The Oxford University History Faculty also criticised the decision, saying: ‘We cannot accept the exclusion of our respected colleague Professor Selina Todd from the event, and that means that we withdrew from the weekend’s celebration. We recognise that it is not always straightforward to balance the rights of women with the rights of trans people, but we believe that the way forward is for us all to talk to one another.’

Professor Todd denies holding discriminatory views against trans people. Exeter College said it was not responsible for her being banned.

In a lengthy statement posted on Twitter, the Oxford International Women’s Festival said it was not ‘responsible for requesting Professor Selina Todd not to speak’.