Disgraceful to stop right-wing speaker

One would have hoped that education authorities and universities were places of learning and willing to let students listen to both sides of any argument (School Laments Forced Decision To Axe Visit Of Controversial Ex-pupil, Kentish Gazette, November 24).

Sadly, bigotry and intolerance to even listen to the ‘other side’ seems totally acceptable with the banning of Milo Yiannopoulos from speaking at his old school.

That 50 lecturers and academics supported the ban says it all.

They are worse bigots themselves and by their bullying tactics, shows the weakness of their own arguments.

In a the month of Remembrance and politicians banging on about the sacrifices people made for free speech, yet as so increasingly often these days, these are just hollow words. Terry Hudson Russell Drive, Swalecliffe

The Simon Langton School for Boys in Canterbury invited one of its alumni back to give a speech and 200 pupils had agreed to attend but the ex-pupil was a right-wing journalist.

He has said that feminism is a cancer, which I disagree with, but is a perfectly legal thing to say.

As far as I’m aware, he has not been arrested for anything he has written.

Then the thought police ie the Department for Education’s extremism unit, stepped in and told the school not to go ahead for ‘safety’ reasons because there might be demos.

It is legal to demonstrate but it is also legal to say what you like.

This is clearly giving in to intimidation which you should never do in a democracy.

Now Donald Trump wasn’t banned from speaking for his right-wing views and, even though there was some trouble at some of his rallies, they were not banned either.

Perhaps democracy is stronger in the USA than in Britain.

In the words of Voltaire: “I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.” Marc Hurstfield Snelling Avenue, Northfleet

Right-winger Milo Yiannopoulos, who was stopped from speaking at his old school