Kingston University has been named by the Prime Minister as one of the leading universities to give a platform to extremists.

David Cameron announced a new legal duty yesterday on institutions to "protect impressionable young minds".

He identified four universities as holding the most events featuring hate speakers - Kingston University, King's College London, University of London's Queen Mary and School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Mr Cameron said: "All public institutions have a role to play in rooting out and challenging extremism. It is not about oppressing free speech or stifling academic freedom, it is about making sure that radical views and ideas are not given the oxygen they need to flourish."

Kingston University has responded and said it is proud to be a multi-cultural university full of people from all backgrounds.

It confirmed opportunities for academic debate were encouraged, but behaviour which could be linked to any form of hatred was not tolerated.

A spokesman for the university said: "Should the university or the union be made aware of any concerns about the views expressed at a society or university event, we would work closely together to resolve the issue.

"The university is committed to complying with the Government’s prevent duty guidance and is currently finalising policies and procedures that will be implemented when this comes in to force.

"All speakers who attend events across any of our campuses must conform to the equality policies of the university and the union, which include a joint values statement."

In total, some 70 events involving Islamist preachers were held on campuses last year, according to the Government’s new extremism analysis unit.

John Azah, chief executive at Kingston Race and Equalities Council, said: " We work very closely with Kingston University, and at the times that we have felt there were issues around some of the people that they were wanting to have speak there, they are really accommodating and wanted to discuss the pros and cons as to why the university would allow anybody who would attract controversy.

"Therefore I would be very surprised if Kingston is seen as a university where extremist speakers are allowed in to promote their filth. I don't think that is what the university does.

“I would want to challenge that perception from anyone if that is the impression we are giving."