Academics and college heads at Durham University have supported students who walked out of a speech by Rod Liddle, the newspaper columnist.
The student presidents of the “junior common rooms” at 16 of the university’s 17 constituent colleges have issued a joint statement in which they welcomed the university’s investigation into the incident and expressed support for the students who protested.
Tim Luckhurst, the head of South College, invited Liddle, a Sunday Times columnist, to speak at its Christmas dinner on December 3. Students were not aware that he would be speaking.
Liddle joked in his address that he was disappointed not to see any sex workers, referring to a recent controversy about safety training for students in the sex industry. He also said that the underachievement of black pupils had nothing to do with racism.
When some students walked out, Luckhurst shouted “pathetic”. He has since apologised, saying: “The students had as much right to absent themselves from the speech as my guest had to make it.”
Advertisement
Several academics offered students their support. Simon Forrest, principal at St Hild and St Bede College, said: “I deplore the intolerant and hurtful remarks attributed to the speaker.” The university said it endorsed academics “engaging with students’ concerns”.
Alex Walker, the student union representative at John Snow College, said it was not a question of free speech. “Students went to their Christmas dinner expecting to celebrate with friends. They did not expect to have to sit tight and listen while the principal’s mate insulted them . . . We are not silencing anyone.”
Liddle said: “The college heads, desperate to ingratiate themselves, have sided with the authoritarian minority. They have no public support or moral or intellectual foundation.”
