University of York: Defamation of the Leader of the SDP by student activists
(17.11.22) Defamatory statements were made about Mr William Clouston, the Leader of the SDP, by York University’s LGBTQ+ Network following an invitation for him to speak at the Student Union by the University’s Free Speech Society. Although the meeting went ahead, this sort of behaviour is a worrying trend and certain activists think that their strong personal views about issues of public controversy entitle them to abuse visiting speakers.
We have written to York VC, Professor Charlie Jeffery, both to compliment York’s administrators in not bowing to pressure to cancel the event and to express concern about the behaviour of LBGTQ+ Network. We have also pointed out that, by taking sides on issues where lawful views can widely differ, York may be unwittingly encouraging this sort of behaviour.
AFFS had already prepared Briefing Notes on both student conduct and compulsory EDI training for students.
A copy was among the attachments to our letter to Professor Jeffery.
What you can do:
- Share our email and Briefing Notes with any York alumni you know
- Join AFFS if you have not already done so
- If you were at York, write to Professor Jeffery (at vc@york.ac.uk) expressing your concern in moderate and factual terms
- If you were at York, consider setting-up a York University AFFS branch
