Benjy Sarlin October 21, 2011, 4:31 PM

Eric Cantor’s office says the GOP Majority Leader cancelled an economic speech at the University of Pennsylvania because the school reneged on a deal to keep the audience restricted to students and faculty. But UPenn says the event, which was the target of planned protests, was always open to the public.

According to a statement from the school:

“Wharton deeply regrets that the event scheduled at the School this afternoon with MajorityLeader Eric Cantor has been cancelled. The University community was looking forward to hearing Majority Leader Cantor’s comments on important public issues, and we hope there will be another opportunity for him to speak on campus.

The Wharton speaker series is typically open to the general public, and that is how the event with Majority Leader Cantor was billed. We very much regret if there was any misunderstanding with the Majority Leader’s office on the staging of his presentation.”

In announcing Cantor’s decision not to deliver his much-anticipated speech on Friday, his spokesman said UPenn was “unable to ensure that the attendance policy previously agreed to could be met,” citing concerns that the general public would be allowed inside and that protestors organized by Occupy Philadelphia and a coalition of progressive and labor groups would be permitted to gather on campus.

Although Cantor, didn’t deliver his scheduled speech, his office released his prepared remarks to the campus paper.

Eric Cantor, Occupy Wall Street, University of Pennsylvania