Free speech row as Durham University debate society is banned from freshers fair by its student union following racism allegations
A freedom of row has erupted at Durham University as one of its oldest societys was banned from taking part in freshers fair.
A freedom of row has erupted at Durham University as one of its oldest societys was banned from taking part in freshers fair.
The freshers fair, which is organised by the universitys student union, sees hundreds of new students flock to stalls set up by various societies on campus.
However, this year the universitys 182-year-old debating society, whose previous guest include ex-prime ministers Boris Johnson and Theresa May, as well as the late Dame Maggie Smith. was blocked from taking part amid racism allegations.
Durham Student Union claimed Durham Union Society had fallen short in proving it had bettered its standards following accusations of racism, the Telegraph reports.
It also said that the debating society, which is a registered charity, was independent from the university and had no formal commitment to the institution.
Durham Union Society has been barred by the student union from taking part in the freshers fair after failing to show improvements following racism allegations
In February 2023, Samantha Smith, 20, said she was called the N-word at a late-night gathering of the Durham Union, the university’s oldest and largest society
A free speech group has slammed the student body, accusing it of censorious behaviour.
In a letter to Durham Universitys vice-chancellor, Professor Karen OBrien, the Free Speech Union alleged Durham Union Society had been barred from the event because it isnt Left-wing enough.
According to the Telegraph, the founder of the group, Toby Young claimed the university had a responsibility to protect free speech for all students, staff and visiting guests.
As things stand, it is now incumbent on the university to ensure that the situation is rectified, he wrote in a letter seen by the publication.
Mr Young implied that the dispute would have not occurred if the Government hadnt paused their introduction of new free speech legislature which would have
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced in July she would halt the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act while the Government considered its future.
The new law would have meant universities obligated to actively encourage free speech on campus and established a new complaints process for individuals affected by no-platforming.
Mr Young told the Telegraph: This censorious behaviour by a militant student union, banning a 200-year-old debating society from freshers fair because it isnt Left-wing enough, wouldnt be possible if the Freedom of Speech Act hadnt been torpedoed by this Government.
This is a perfect example of the cancel culture that the Act was designed to stop. Bridget Phillipson should reverse her decision and implement the Act.
At the time Miss Smith, a Conservative commentator with white and Afro-Hispanic heritage, insists the punishment is inadequate
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (pictured) said halted the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act which would have obligated universities to actively encourage free speech on campus
The Department for Education declined to comment.
It comes after the Durham Union Society, which was founded in 1842 similarly to the Cambridge and Oxford Unions, was accused of racism.
In February, 2023, law scholar Samantha Smith, 20, claimed she had been call the N-word during a late night gathering of the Durham Union.
She formally complained about the incident and a university probe upheld her complaint.
The other student, who the Mail is not naming, was banned from contacting her, told to write an apology and asked to do 100 hours of community service.
But Miss Smith, a Conservative commentator with white and Afro-Hispanic heritage, insists the punishment is inadequate.
She said in February 2023 that her alleged abuser showed no remorse and should have been banned from campus.
He strongly denied uttering the slur but the probe found otherwise, on the balance of the evidence.
Miss Smith, from Shropshire, said: I put faith in the process, and I put faith in the university but I feel let down, degraded, pushed aside and angry.
I fear that if this has happened in as clear cut a case as mine and this is how they dealt with it, what is it going to be like for other students?
Durham Union Society and Durham Students Union had entered into an agreement were future partnership was based on improvements in equality, diversity and inclusion in the society
Pictured an aerial view of the city of Durham
I also fear that he is going to be around me for the next two years and I could run into him any day.
Durham is a very small place. He is a very intimidating guy, and he scares me.
Since the alleged incident, Durham Union Society and Durham Students Union had entered into an agreement.
This understanding meant a future partnership between the two would be subject to the debating society improving in regards to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
MailOnline has approached Durham Student Union, Durham University, and Durham Union Society for comment.
