Guess Who’s Back?

Julian Assange will be returning to the Union on 27 November.

Speaking via video link from the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Assange will be answering questions of Union members.

The Wikileaks founder will speak on a topic yet to be revealed followed by a question and answer session.

Looks like Assange can’t get enough of us Cantabs

This will be his first public Q&A since seeking political asylum last August in order to avoid extradition to Sweden where he currently faces rape and sexual assault allegations.

Assange last visited the Union in March 2011 after a long streak of silence, and less a month after the ruling that he should be extradited to Sweden.

Assange’s last visit

Austin Mahler, this term’s Union President, told The Tab: “The Union exists to provide a neutral forum for free speech, where members can explore ideas and pose challenging questions to some of the world’s most prominent figures.

“Hosting a speaker does not imply endorsement or disapproval on the part of the Society. We invite people to speak at the Union regardless of their ideology or background.”

However, whether these comments will be enough to silence the Union’s critics, who have argued against the rights of accused sex offenders to speak, remains to be seen. The CUSU Women’s Campaign has already indicated that it will protest against Mr Assange’s invite.

The event will only be open to members, and tickets will be released closer to the event.