Protests as former far-right leader Tommy Robinson addresses Oxford Union Union sparked anger by inviting the controversial figure to speak Protesters gathered outside and shouted at 32-year-old as he arrived Mr Robinson gave a speech about the roots of his former EDL group The ex-convict claimed he had been 'gagged' by probation officers Former far-right leader Tommy Robinson controversially appeared at Oxford Union last night - and told students fears over racism led to child abuse in Rotherham.Â Mr Robinson was the leader of the English Defence League - a group that been accused of inciting racial hatred and 'Islamophobia' - but he stood down last year. His invitation to speak at the famous university had been criticised by his opponents and 200 people signed a petition calling for the event to be cancelled. Former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson spoke to students at Oxford University last night His appearance has been criticised by opponents, who claimed the Union was 'encouraging fascism' A group of protesters - holding anti-fascist and trade union banners - stood outside the prestigious union last night and reportedly shouted abuse at Mr Robinson as he arrived. Mr Robinson, who was jailed for mortgage fraud earlier this year but is out on licence, claimed he was given a list of things he 'couldn't say' by probation officers. The 32-year-old - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - told MailOnline: 'Even though I wouldn't have been breaking any laws, I was told I would be taken back to prison if I spoke about the police.' He insisted the atmosphere inside the union was 'civilised' and he was not heckled during his one-hour, twenty-minute speech. Mr Robinson told students about the roots of the EDL and claimed it was a response to the 'religious intolerance' of some Muslims in his home town of Luton, Bedfordshire. Talking about recent child abuse revelations in Rotherham, he said: 'Fear paralysed Rotherhamâ€™s police force, the media and the politicians. The police facilitated the rape of children for 20 years because they were afraid of being called racist. He claimed Woodhill Prison, where he was sent after being jailed in January, is an 'ISIS training camp' where 'the radicals are running the wings'. Mr Robinson insisted that, despite protests outside, the atmosphere inside among students was 'civilised' Mr Robinson is the latest controversial guest of the union, which previously invited Nick Griffin to talk The union, which has previously hosted BNP leader Nick Griffin, had been strongly criticised for allowing Mr Robinson to appear. A letter by Oxford Unite Against Facisim stated: 'By inviting Tommy Robinson the Oxford Union is contributing to a climate of Islamophobia which only encourages fascists onto the streets of Oxford. But students at the university have taken to Twitter to defend the decision, insisting the talk was in the interests of free speech. Some students on the social network this morning stated that they did not agree with Mr Robinson's views on Islam, but were pleased to they had heard him speak.