Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 15 Aug 2018
THE FOUNDER OF the Lisbon Web Summit has withdrawn an invite for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen to its annual tech conference later this year, after earlier defending the decision to invite her to the event.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Le Pen – who is president of the National Rally party – would appear at the event, which will be held in the Portuguese capital from 5-8 November.
The move proved controversial in a country where a far-right dictatorship was in place until 1974.
Changing mind
In a series of tweets this afternoon, Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave said it was “now clear” to him that the correct decision was to rescind Le Pen’s invitation.
“Based on advice we have received and the large reaction online overnight, her presence is disrespectful in particular to our host country,” Cosgrave said. “It is also disrespectful to some of the many tens of thousands of attendees who join us from around the world.”
He said that, in future, the Web Summit would approach issues of hate, freedom of expression and platform technologies “with more care”.
Cosgrave added that the summit had added private and public stages “specifically for robust dialogue on contentious and defining issues of our time”, but added “we’ve still much to learn”.
Earlier
In a web-post written last night, Cosgrave admitted that while he felt Le Pen’s views were “wrongheaded”, he believed that they would be adequately challenged by “professional journalist” at the event.
Citing the fundamental right to free speech, he said: “Web Summit is a place where people should be prepared to have their opinions deeply challenged, and in turn to deeply challenge the opinions of others.”
He also said that more than 30% of French voters selected Le Pen to be their candidate in last year’s presidential election, and argued that “banning or attempting to ignore” her views would do little to address the cause of why they exist.
“Ultimately the easy decision is to turn Web Summit into a commercially safe space by precluding views, both economic and political, that may cause offense to our commercial partners and other stakeholders,” he added.
“Excluding those who are “too socialist” or “too nationalistic” or “too extreme” from Web Summit would, I assure you, be a very easy and very pragmatic decision for us to take as a business.”
However, Cosgrave also said that if the Portuguese government asked the summit’s organisers to cancel Le Pen’s invitation, they would “of course respect that request” and do so immediately.
Last year, Cosgrave was forced to apologise after Portugal’s Prime Minister criticised him for holding an “offensive” dinner at Lisbon’s National Pantheon, where a number of the country’s important national figures are buried.
There was also controversy in 2016 when a number of people who had paid up to €5,000 for tickets to the conference were forced to watch events from screens outside.
With reporting from Sean Murray
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Absolutely no place for this at any sports ground. They’re a disgrace to their county & should be barred from venues for life
@samstheman: They were kids, give them a break.
@páraicS: To be fair in any other sport they would see some sort of ban. By not doing so the gaa are in some way allowing this behavior to spread.
I’m a similar note I saw an underage hurling game on my local park whilst walking my dog where there was a proper fight on the pitch between 2 players where they had to be separated. Neither was sanctioned( or even told to shake hands afterwards) that’s really poor behavior from the coaches
@páraicS: they weren’t ‘kids’ . Look at the footage. They were youths. And they were a disgrace. Pure thugs
@páraicS: big enough for kids. I stand by my comment. Then they got off with a caution. Joke, interestingly if they were Dubs what would you have to say?
@Anthony: what’s a youth? If I host an under 15s soccer match is it a game between a gang of youths?
@páraicS: I would say the people harassed or intimidated because of their carry on also deserve a break
@páraicS: Kids ? They were given Adult cautions, Kids my ass!
Imagine the damage there could have been done by their behaviour and come back and tell us to give them a break.
@thephantomshit: they were older than 15. Look at the footage.
@páraicS: Nope.
@páraicS: noisy disruptive teenagers can be a nuisance at games to spectators near them needing the Guards to be called. Responsibility called for.
@páraicS: cops should have given both of them a good clipping. Teach them some manners.
@páraicS: They got their break by not being charged, but why should paying spectators have to endure gobshyte behaviour from people at a match, regardless of age?
@John Kelly: bring back nidge, they need to be clipped.
Everyone is responsible for their own actions, I’d say their families are proud of them today. If u keep messing with fire u get burnt & these guys have a long way to go if they keep lighting fires.
@reg gordon: gaa use kid gloves wth onfield violence likewise wth thuggery on terraces
@Don Dealgan: the GAA didn’t let them go with an “adult caution” the Gardai did
@samstheman: talk a bit of sense. Don’t be trying to excuse this rowdyism. People like you add to the problem.
Too much Clonmel apple juice….
There seems to be a developing culture of phuckwits in the last year at hurling matches. I was at the Limerick match yesterday and there was a gang of aroud 40 neanderthals roaring out soccer chants for the whole match. These vermin have no place at hurling games and this must be nipped in the bud now.
@Ronan Sexton: People were singing songs at a match and you got upset? Think you need a new hobby.
@Seán Ó Murchú: No Sean, are yout comprehension skills that bad? There are night classes for that.
Why were Tipp fans beating up Tipp fans????
@Adolf Galland: drink
This isn’t the first time Tipperary supporters have been fighting each other at matches. There should be a ban on intoxicated people going into matches.
@Ed: when was d other time
Unbelievable they were let go.
Their actions both warranted being charged with public order offences, the little thug on the left in the video being the chief culprit, its an assault in broad daylight with hundreds of witnesses for christ’s sake.
points deduction for Tipp
@tubbsyf: you can have 17 points of you’re from Waterford
Ah sure it only a bit of banter
Yup 50 year old Saracens fans Nayo
If that was the Dubs.liveline would get 2 weeks out of it
Wildlings.
have your say