Cartoon editor in Oxford debate

Much anger was directed at Jyllands-Posten newspaper

The Danish newspaper editor who caused outrage among some Muslims by printing cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad has addressed the Oxford Union.

A small protest was held outside as Flemming Rose took part in a debate on free speech on Thursday night.

Security was the tightest it had been in six years and police were present, a union spokeswoman said.

She added it was Mr Rose's first public appearance since the cartoon row broke out sparking worldwide protests.

Demonstrations continued when the cartoons were republished in several European newspapers.

Mr Rose, culture editor of the Jyllands-Posten newspaper, was speaking in opposition to the motion: "This house believes free speech should be moderated by respect for religion", which was defeated by 129 votes to 59.

The union spokeswoman said that during the debate Mr Rose defended his decision to publish the cartoons, saying they in "no way demonised or stereotyped" the Muslim community.

'Must be moderation'

Other speakers included the Labour MPs Nick Palmer and Jamie Reid, the Director General of the Islamic Foundation Dr Manazir Ahsan, Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson, the activist Barbara Smoker and Conservative MP Edward Leigh.

The union spokeswoman said Zulfi Bukhari, of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, spoke in favour of the motion and said "if free speech results in the demonisation of a community there must be moderation".

She added that Mr Bukhari was supported, among others, by Mr Palmer who said "people are in favour of free speech as long as they're comfortable with what's said".

President of the Oxford Union, David Powell, said: "It is entirely consistent with the union's founding principle of free speech to hold this debate and provide a forum for Flemming Rose to justify his actions and views."

A Thames Valley police spokeswoman said officers had been monitoring the situation but there were "no problems at all".