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High profile figures including Richard Dawkins and Prof Brian Cox have reacted angrily to the decision to ban Maryam Namazie from speaking at the University of Warwick.

The university's students' union took the decision to ban the secularist citing fears that the human rights campaigner could offend Islam and Muslim students.

Former Muslim Maryam Namazie, a member of the Council of Ex-Muslims, is known for giving talks which challenge aspects of the religion she does not agree with.

(Image: Mallorie Nasrallah.)

The Iranian-born speaker was invited to Warwick University’s Students’ Union by Warwick Atheists, Secularists and Humanists’ Society (WASH) to give a talk on October 28.

But, when the Telegraph reported the decision by the students' union to decline permission for Ms Namazie to speak, it prompted furious reaction.

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Prominent atheist Richard Dawkins was among the first to respond, sharing the Telegraph's story with his 1.2million followers on social media website Twitter.

He hit out at the students' decision and said: “To ban a speaker you happen to disagree with is a contemptible betrayal of everything a university stands for.

“What do the bleating cowards of Warwick SU think a university is for? If students won't support free speech who will?"

“It's a patronising insult to Muslim students to assume they'd rather censor than come along and argue with Maryam.

“When the big babies of Warwick SU finally climb down, Maryam Namazie will get a far larger audience. Good.”

Mr Dawkins' comments were followed by derision of the decision by celebrity physicist Prof Brian Cox.

He said: “If not there, then when?”

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He added: “We can't allow for over-sensitive students to wrap themselves in cotton wool.”

Another prominent figure who responded to the Telegraph's story was science writer Dr Ben Goldacre.

He said he would boycott Warwick University and refuse to speak there following the decision to ban Ms Namazie.

WASH has appealed the decision and the students' union has issued a statement to the Telegraph to explain its position.

Warwick Students' Union statement

It reads: “As a charity, Warwick Students’ Union is required to conduct a thorough risk assessment of any external speakers being proposed by student societies.

“During the preliminary risk assessment process conducted into the proposed appearance of Maryam Namazie, it was determined that there are a number of articles written both by the speaker and by others about the speaker which indicate that she is highly inflammatory and could incite religious or racial hatred on campus.

“It is crucial to note, however, that the decision-making process is currently incomplete, and a final decision on this issue will be reached by the organisation’s most senior members of staff in the coming days.

“The initial decision was made in deference to the right of Muslim students not to feel intimidated or discriminated against on their University campus (as demonstrated by our recent Challenge Islamophobia campaign), rather than in the interests of suppressing free speech or freedom of expression.”

Maryam Namazie response

Ms Namazie reacted to the latest statement by accusing the students' union of misleading the public.

She said: “They deceptively imply that the uproar over their denial is premature as a 'final' decision has not been made.”

She added: “Warwick SU, publish the articles you refer to; give evidence for your serious accusation against me and if not, withdraw the accusation.

“Mostly, show some courage and decency and rectify your mistake so that I can come as planned and speak at your university without delay."

Earlier, Warwick University told the Telegraph the decision had not been made by them and was a matter for the students union.