3 Aug 2018

Far-right speakers' venue cancelled last minute after outcry

3:32 pm on 3 August 2018

The event involving far-right speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux has been cancelled.

Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux.

Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux. Photo: Supplied.

The pair are known for their extreme and polarising views on topics such as feminism, gender, immigration and Islam and were banned by the Auckland Council from speaking at venues it owns last month.

The event organisers have updated their website to say that due to circumstances beyond their control, tonight's event in Auckland has been cancelled.

All ticketholders will be refunded within 14 days.

Earlier this afternoon, Peter Campbell from the Powerstation said he decided to cancel the event because of the disruption it would cause.

However, he stood by the decision to book them in the first place.

He was reluctant to comment further.

During the pair's tour of Australia they made disparaging remarks about Aboriginal Australians.

The minimum ticket price was $99 and the event had been sold out.

Prior to the cancellation, event organiser David Pellowe said he had expected protesters to attend the event.

Superintendant Karyn Malthus said the police respected everyone's right to protest, as well as their right to have freedom of speech, regardless of their views.

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