Reform UK has written to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of
St Andrews calling for urgent action after a Reform UK student
event was mobbed and threatened by far-left activists.
On 13 March, the newly formed Reform UK Society held its first
meeting. This was hijacked by a gang of hard-left agitators who
hurled abuse and tried to intimidate young people into
silence.
Videos of students were posted online, and some were even told to
take their own lives.
In a letter to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Sally Mapstone,
KC MP and , Leader of Reform UK
Scotland, demand action from the university and warn that free
speech is being crushed by fear and mob politics.
Reform UK's Shadow Education and Skills Secretary KC MP said:
“What happened at St Andrews was mob rule. Students were targeted
simply for supporting Reform UK, such behaviour that has no place
in a university. St Andrews University must show it still stands
for open debate and intellectual freedom. Reform UK will always
defend Scotland's universities and the principle of free speech.”
Reform UK's Leader in Scotland said:
“No student, whatever their politics, should ever feel unsafe for
expressing their views. St Andrews has a proud history of
intellectual debate, and it must now uphold that tradition by
standing firm for the British values of fairness, freedom, and
open exchange of ideas.”
Adyan, PHD student & founding member of University of
St Andrews Reform UK Society said:
“This was supposed to be a casual pub social on a Friday evening;
a fun meet and greet for new members of our society. Instead, a
large group of students descended on us with abuse and
threatening behaviour. They tried to intimidate us through verbal
abuse and the distribution of malicious leaflets. I was proud
that we stood up for ourselves and engaged them in a humble and
professional manner.”
Boone, an overseas student at the University of St
Andrews said:
“As an American, I was disappointed to see such animosity from
fellow students at such an excellent University as St Andrews. It
is unfortunate that political positions that are mainstream in
the United States are so opposed and treated so unfairly here.
“They had no intention of listening to what we believed or how or
what we thought. They were simply there to intimidate. I have
heard of similar things happening in America, but this was a new
experience for me. I was disappointed to see such violent
and hateful opposition to diversity of opinion at St Andrews,
which has a long tradition for diversity of opinion, having the
oldest continuously running debate union.
"I am happy that the University has done the right thing so far
in allowing the creation of the Reform UK society despite such
bitter opposition from students and alumni.”
Please click here to see the full
letter.
