Trans rights protesters have interrupted a talk being given at the Oxford Union by a feminist who campaigns for women’s single sex spaces.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the famous debating society before “gender-critical” academic, Professor Kathleen Stock, arrived.

The former philosophy lecturer resigned from Sussex University in October 2021 after being accused of transphobia – an allegation she strenuously denies.

Banners seen in Oxford carry messages including “Trans Rights Now” and “Our Existence Is Not A Debate”.

There are also a number of counter-protesters.

There has been a row over whether Prof Stock should appear at all, with the university’s LGBTQ+ society calling for her invitation to be rescinded, describing her as “transphobic and trans-exclusionary”.

But the university’s vice-chancellor has said Prof Stock’s appearance is a matter of “freedom of speech”.

And Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, said a “free society requires free debate” and people should be “encouraged to engage respectfully with the ideas of others”.

About 200 protesters gathered at Oxford’s Bonn Square, before marching towards the 200-year-old debating society.

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Speaking at the rally, Max Van Kleek, Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the university, said transgender students suffered from “so much abuse” and were “losing rights around the world”.

“Let us all unite in trans solidarity and show people we are not something to fear,” he said.

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