Steerpike Steerpike

Trigger warning: NUS students try to no platform Hope Not Hate founder

Earlier this month Mr S brought you the news that students at LSE were attempting to ban a free-speech society. Now some lovely folk at the National Union of Students have a new target in their sights: Hope Not Hate.

Yes, the founder of the advocacy group — which claims to campaign ‘to counter racism and fascism’ — claims he has been accused of… Islamophobia. Nick Lowles — who previously edited anti-fascist magazine Searchlight — says that NUS students are campaigning against a plan to invite him to speak at an anti-racism event on the basis that he is ‘Islamophobic’.

HopenotHatepost

Given that the Hope Not Hate founder claims to have worked to tackle bias against Muslims, the accusation of ‘Islamophobia’ appears particularly bizarre. In fact, back in December Hope Not Hate released a report into the ‘Counter-Jihad movement’, listing critics of Islamic extremism and describing them as anti-Muslim.

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in