Share this @internewscast.com
Durham students have threatened a summer rent strike after the university refused to publish a report into a professor at the centre of a toxic ‘woke row’.
Protesters said they will also boycott dinners and tell final year undergraduates to slap the institution with the lowest ranking in the National Student Survey.
The row started when they demanded the resignation of South College chief Tim Luckhurst after he invited journalist Rod Liddle to give a speech last month.
Activists claimed Mr Liddle, associate editor of The Spectator magazine is ‘racist and transphobic’ – an accusation he vehemently denies.
A complaint to university bosses prompted an investigation and the professor stepped back from public activities – but is now understood to be back at work.
Durham last night said the probe was finished but added its recommendations would remain confidential.
Around 200 students gathered at Durham University last month to protest about the row that blew up following a speech by writer Rod Liddle at an end of year event
Students demanded the resignation of Tim Luckhurst (pictured), principal of Durham University’s South College, after he invited the journalist Rod Liddle to give a speech
Some students were livid with the move and had plans for more demonstrations if the institution would not back down.
First year Niall Hignett, who was among the activists last month, told student newspaper Palatinate, ‘My message to the University is get your act together, publish the report, and stop failing your students.
‘If we don’t see the report in the coming days, student leaders will start working on our next steps.’
He added: ‘It either ends now, or we will begin working to make the university better, safer, and more inclusive in spite of a management in direct opposition to those ambitions.’
Students claimed Mr Liddle (pictured), associate editor of The Spectator magazine is ‘racist and transphobic’ – an accusation he vehemently denies
It is the second time they have threatened a rent strike, with the first last month saying they would withhold fees of £8,000 in college accommodation.
Protest leader Sean Hannigan, 22, said in mid-December: ‘The only way that the university will listen is if it hits them financially.’
The row began after students staged a walk-out at a college formal when they found out Mr Liddle was about to speak.
It prompted the professor to say ‘pathetic’, though he later apologised.
Students then held a protest, holding up posters reading ‘Luckhurst out’, and threatened to ‘hit the university financially’ by withholding annual fees.
Mr Liddle said the views in it, including that the Left are ignoring science over trans issues, are held by many respected academics.
The university released a statement on Twitter saying it stood ‘shoulder to shoulder’ those who helped coordinate the protests.
Many senior academics also threw their weight behind the student campaign.
The Durham statement issued last night said the inquiry was ‘carried out in line with established university policies and procedures’.
It continued: ‘That investigation has now concluded and a number of recommendations have been made.
‘It would be inappropriate to comment on what remains a confidential and ongoing process.’
Source: Daily Mail
