GEORGE Galloway has been banned from speaking at a university following a dispute over comments he made about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The Respect MP for Bradford West was due to speak at De Montfort University on November 14 but has been told to stay away by the student union executive.

Executive members say legal issues between Mr Galloway and the National Union of Students (NUS) mean his visit is now deemed "inappropriate".

Mr Galloway is suing the NUS for libel following criticism of his remarks about Mr Assange.

The NUS branded Mr Galloway's comments "offensive" and said it would no longer share a platform with the MP.

A spokesman for Mr Galloway said: "He is absolutely appalled, but not surprised that the Student Union should do this.

"It is a gross infringement of freedom of speech and he is sure that it's not representative of the majority of the student body."

The university's student union president, Lynette Williams, said: "The NUS represents every student in the country and, in our opinion, an attack on the NUS is an attack on every student, including those at De Montfort University."

Ms Williams added: "We feel it would be inappropriate for Mr Galloway to attend an event on campus while in a legal altercation with our affiliate national movement."