However, James Soderholm, the school's director of humanities, disclosed that the event had been cancelled after the Department for Education raised concerns about security and potential "reputational issues".

He accused the Government of casting doubt on "both the pastoral care and intellectual preparation we offer our students" and said that the school will resist censorship and "remain committed to the principle of free speech and open debate".

Mr Yiannopoulos accused Theresa May, the Prime Minister, of being a "total fascist" and accused her of deploying "sinister counter extremist goons" to bar him from speaking.

A journalist for the US right-wing website Breitbart, Mr Yiannopoulos has gained celebrity status among Mr Trump's suporters for his aggressive and deliberately offensive sense of humour.