Rod Liddle has condemned Durham University’s ‘disgusting’ treatment of a prominent academic following he invited him to give a talk.

According to the columnist, Professor Tim Luckhurst should be sincerely apologized to by the institution and reinstate him to his duties immediately.

He also called for bosses to say sorry to him for ‘vilifying’ his speech to ‘appease jabbering infants’ and said they should reimburse his £150 travel expenses.

The protest came as Left-wing students from South College staged a demonstration calling for an inclusive campus and a safer environment.

Baying activists met on a green, holding placards that read’mansplaine, manipulate, womanwife’ and “we’re queer. we’re here.”

Professor Luckhurst had agitated them, shouting “pathetic” when students staged walkouts during Mr Liddle’s Friday talk – though he eventually apologised.

The university has placed him under investigation and he is now barred from all duties. It’s understood that he has been gagged throughout the ongoing case.

South College was the scene of a small protest by Left-wing students calling for a safer, more inclusive campus

The activists gathered on a green with placards reading 'mansplain, manipulate, manwife' and 'we're queer, we're here'

They gathered together on a green, holding placards that read’mansplaine, manipulate, womanwife’ and “we’re queer. we’re there.”

A small number of student activists marched on South College today in their latest attempt to get the professor sacked

Today, a small group of students protestors marched up to South College in an attempt to have the professor fired.

Tim Luckhurst, a journalist turned professor

Tim Luckhurst was a former national newspaper editor. He then turned his attention to academia, rising up at Kent and Durham Universities.

His career began as a journalist on BBC Radio 4’s Today program in the 1980s.

However, he was the BBC Scotland’s editor for news programs from 1995 until 1997.

The top journalist won two Sony Radio Academy Awards for news broadcasting and particularly excelled in foreign coverage.

Luckhurst, who had worked at the Beeb for a while before moving to Scotland to edit the Scotsman newspaper and then to academia.

From 2007 through November 2019, the 58-year old was Professor at Journalism Kent University.

He also served as Director of KM Television Ltd – which he helped set up – between 2016 and 2019.

He moved to Durham in November 2019, to become the head of South College and as associate pro vice-chancellor for engagement.

This morning Mr Liddle rushed to the aid of his friend, blasting Durham, the academic who heads the new South College.

While he stated that he had expected students to behave like this, Universty was more surprised.

He said to GB News, “Let’s begin with Durham University’s actions.” The students behaved far worse than they did, and the staff have been despicable.

“I expected this from students. I even expected it from some of them. You don’t see the double thinking Durham University indulges in.

“First, they say they support freedom of speech. Then, they add that except for something they disagree with (which the Labour Party on campus does not agree with), then they won’t accept it.

“Then, most importantly of all, you may argue that poor Tim Luckhurst is being scapegoated to whom I was asked to go along after clearing it with university officials having informed them in advance.

They have decided to please these infants and decided to do something. A highly respected and well-respected journalist or professor was left in the dust.

“And so they should immediately decide whether or not they believe in freedom of speech.

“Number 2: Write a sincere apology to Professor Luckhurst and immediately reinstate him to his duties.

“And you accept that he has invited me to come here with good will.” 

The third thing they need to do is to write me a note of regret and to explain that their remarks about me were unfair.

“They can forward me 150 pounds for my travel expenses, because I arrived there without any cost and with the intention of doing something good to contribute to public service.

He stated, “So they could apologise for me and pay my travel costs. Then I’ll be satisfied.”

Mr Liddle leapt to his friend's aid this morning, blasting Durham for 'scapegoating' the academic, who is the head of the newly-established South College

This morning Mr Liddle rushed to the aid of his friend, accusing Durham of making a scapegoat out the academic who heads the new South College

The youngsters carried flags and banners with messages such as 'sod Rod', 'proud to be pathetic' and 'no hate'

Children carried banners and flags bearing messages, such as “sod Rod”, ‘proudly be pathetic” and “no hate”.

The 'woke' mob had ramped up its campaign to oust Professor Luckhurst last night as seven societies accused him of 'gross misconduct'

Last night, seven organisations accused Professor Luckhurst with ‘gross misconduct’. The mob called the “woke” and stepped up their campaign to get rid of him.

A speaker talks to Durham University students as they stage a protest at South College this afternoon

Durham University Students protest South College today as a speaker addresses them

They claimed he promoted 'a culture of harm and hate' by inviting Mr Liddle to give his speech

He promoted “a culture that harms and hatred” by inviting Mr Liddle into his speech

A few student activists marched today on South College as part of their latest effort to fire the professor.

Children carried flags and banners that had messages such as “sod Rod”, ‘proudly be pathetic” and “no hate”.

Last night, seven organisations accused Professor Luckhurst with gross misconduct. The mob called the “woke” and stepped up their campaign to get rid of him.

He promoted “a culture that harms and hatred” by inviting Mr Liddle into his talk.

Both groups said that Friday’s incident at a formal dinner made them feel unsafe and distressed.

They claimed the Professor had violated the Equality Act.

The groups claimed the incident, at a formal dinner on Friday, made them feel 'unsafe' and 'distressed'

According to the groups, they felt unsafe and stressed after Friday’s formal dinner.

They claimed it breached the Equality Act and demanded 'disciplinary regulations' be brought to bear on the professor - who has been gagged from commenting

They claimed that it was in violation of the Equality Act.

Durham University students stand with their banners as they stage a protest at South College this afternoon

Durham University students hold their banners while they protest at South College.

Yesterday footage emerged of Professor Luckhurst and his wife Dorothy talking to students who stormed out of the speech after the event.

The pair spoke to them calmly, and seemed to want to help them to understand why universities were supposed to be bastions for free speech.

As Professor Luckhurst began speaking, the youths listened intently.

Then she asked, “What do you fear of?” The student who was responding to the question asked: “What are you afraid of?”

The rest of their exchange was inaudible but Mrs Luckhurst went on to repeat the word ‘a***’ before another asked: ‘Don’t we all have one?’

She tweeted later that night: ‘Bunch of inadequates thought it was clever to walk out on a speech tonight because they were afraid of what the speaker said…’

She added: ‘Incidentally they thought it was ok to ask my husband to apologise for my comments…

“I know this is an old idea but I can speak on my own behalf. Maybe women’s equal rights are not something that the modern woke generation is aware of.

Footage emerged of the professor and his wife Dorothy talking to 'woke' students who stormed out of the speech on Friday night

Footage of Dorothy the professor talking with ‘woken’ students on Friday evening emerged.

Professor Luckhurst tried to calm the students who gawped at him as he educated them on free speech at universities

As Professor Luckhurst educated the students on freedom of speech in universities, he tried to placate their astonished faces. 

An acquaintance of the professor stated that Tim is “one of the most kind, generous and intelligent individuals I have ever had the privilege of knowing.” He is being really victimized here.

The Free Speech Union stated that the vilification of Rod Liddle for inviting Professor Luckhurst to speak after dinner is a disgraceful act.

“Students who cannot deal with disagreeable opinions should not be studying at university.”

“Durham claims it supports academic freedom speech. But, if it does so, why is Professor Luckhurst being investigated for calling the students’ decision to leave the speech ‘pathetic’

Professor Luckhurst expressed a perfectly legal view. Penalizing him for it could be considered a violation of law, which requires that universities uphold freedom speech on campuses.

“Professor Luckhurst is an affiliate of the Free Speech Union, and we support him fully.”

The five officers penned a rambling statement in a bid to oust South College principal Professor Tim Luckhurst (pictured)

Five officers made a long statement to try and oust South College’s principal, Professor Tim Luckhurst.

Seun Twins, Jack Ballingham, Jonah Graham, Declan Merrington and Charlie Procter claimed hosting one of the UK's best known writers (pictured) was an 'abuse of power'

Declan Merrington, Jonah Graham and Charlie Procter all claimed that hosting Jonah Graham (pictured), one of Britain’s most well-known writers was an “abuse” of power.

Is this what Rod Liddle said in the University of Durham speech?

Rod Liddle’s speech at University of Durham is not yet fully reported, however, the Palatinate student newspaper has reported the speech’s contents.

According to the paper, Liddle started his Friday speech by saying that he wasn’t happy to see any sex workers present at the event.

It was a reference to the recent controversy over safety training Durham University provided to student sex workers. 

Liddle then claimed that the left was going against ‘science or pure facts,’ saying ‘a person with an X and a Y chromosome, that has a long, dangling penis, is scientifically a man, and that is pretty much, scientifically, the end of the story’, according to the paper.

On a completely different subject, he continued: “It’s quite easy to show that colonialism was not the main cause of Africa’s problems. Just as it’s very simple to prove that educational underachievement in British Caribbean-Americans or African Americans has nothing to do institutional or structural racism.” 

Liddle also spoke out about Britain’s forced adoption policies between 1945-1975.

He claimed that attitude now puts women, and not children first.

His speech was concluded by a message for the attendees about how important it is to listen to and question other people’s opinions.

According to the Palatinate, a dozen students left before the speech started and many more during it.

Reports indicate that only a small percentage of students applauded the speaker at the end. However, it is customary to raise for the High Table as the Speaker leaves. Nearly all the remaining students in the Hall remained seated. As Liddle left, some shouted at Liddle that he was ‘disgusting and racist’. 

Signing the statement were societies representing:’mature’, working class’, ’LGBT+’ and?students with disability’. Moreover,’students of color’ is a term activists use to describe transwomen.

The list included the following: “Under Durham University’s Disciplinary Regulations…we believe these actions constitute gross misconduct.”

They requested a “formal investigation” into Professor Luckhurst’s alleged ‘neglect to duty of care to student’ and his verbal condemnation.

The speakers also said that any future speech should contain “content warnings” for potential offensive material.

In the statement, it was stated that Rod Liddle had been promoted by Tim Luckhurst to promote a culture of hate and harm towards LGBTQ+, POC, and disabled people. [people of colour]Normalization of the working-class student and other students

These actions made it unsafe for students to go to formals at colleges.

The Durham Students’ Union (SU) also called for the dismissal of the professor, calling it ‘untenable.

Seun Twins Jack Ballingham and Jonah Graham claimed that hosting Declan Merrington, Charlie Procter, Jonah Graham, Jonah Graham, Declan Merrington, Jonah Graham and Declan Merrington was an “abuse” of power.

Ms Twins had previously spoken out against the Tories calling for them to be “dealt with”.

The students wrote that the Principal of South College had insulted, humiliated them.

“Tim Luckhurst was the ex-editor of a national newspaper and knew what he did when he stole a Christmas party. He then allowed his friend to spew vile propaganda that he believed would lead to division.

His shameful attempts to justify this pantomime while pretending that it was for students’ education are disgraceful.

“He failed to fulfill his duties of care as principal for South College students and leader within our University community.

Durham Students' Union has been blasted for demanding a leading academic resign after he invited journalist Rod Liddle to talk at a dinner party

Durham Students' Union has been blasted for demanding a leading academic resign after he invited journalist Rod Liddle to talk at a dinner party

Two of the five Durham Student’s Union officers are shown here. They demanded that a prominent academic quit after Rod Liddle invited him to speak at a dinner party.

The Free Speech Union slammed the five officers who penned a rambling statement in a bid to oust South College principal Professor Tim Luckhurst

The Free Speech Union slammed the five officers who penned a rambling statement in a bid to oust South College principal Professor Tim Luckhurst

The Free Speech Union condemned the five officers (pictured: two of them), who made a long and boring statement in an attempt to remove South College principal Tim Luckhurst.

Seun Twins, Jack Ballingham, Jonah Graham, Declan Merrington and Charlie Procter (pictured) claimed hosting one of the UK's best known writers was an 'abuse of power'

Seun Twins Jack Ballingham, Jonah Graham and Declan Merrington (pictured) claim that Charlie Procter hosted one of Britain’s most well-known writers.

Liddle stated that the Left ignored science on trans issues during his appearance and claimed Colonialism wasn’t to blame for Africa’s troubles.

Additionally, he said that underperformance among students of Caribbean descent wasn’t due to institutional racism.

These are the mainstream views of many government and academic experts, he said to Daily Mail later.

He stated that he was not racist nor transphobic. Transgender people should be able to live happily, with dignity, and equality in this world. I hate racism.

He stated that the key point of his talk was “tolerance of others opinions and doubt in one’s own opinion.”

Later, Professor Luckhurst emailed his students to apologize for the use of “pathetic” but also to defend Liddle’s right to invite him and to say he supported ‘free speech.

However, the university declared an investigation and stated that it was “concerned by reports the behaviors exhibited at this occasion fall shortof those we expect.”

Further comments have been refused by the university. Professor Luckhurst is not permitted to make comments.

Durham SU launches bid for a top academic to be fired after ‘woken’ students stormed out during a speech due to being ‘frightened by journalist’s words

This is the complete statement:

“The South College Principal has humiliated and insulted student members. Tim Luckhurst was a former editor at a national newspaper. He knew what he did when he stole a Christmas party from his friend and let him spew vile propaganda that he knew would lead to division. It is shameful that he tried to justify this act of pantomime while pretending that it was being done for students’ education. In his responsibility of caring for South College students and leading the University community, he failed to do so.

It is against the law to invite a friend to provoke or shock students at their home. South students were celebrating Christmas with their friends when their principal compromised their happiness. He put his political agenda above theirs. This act is being portrayed as a strike to improve education. It’s insulting to all Durham students and academics. This is just hazing. Luckhurst knew that it would be a direct abuse of power and provoke anyone who didn’t want to succumb to his bullying. The students that exercised their right to free speech and left this horrible excuse for education are supported fully by the university. Thank you to all the academics from Durham and elsewhere who were able to call out this attempt on their professional reputation.

His attempts to justify his calculated behavior within freedom of speech discourse are disingenuous and do a disservice for those who fight threats to academic freedom around the globe. We are challenging the Acting Vice Chancellor to explain how it is possible for a Principal, who took it upon himself, to disrupt a Christmas dinner party in order to exercise his “right” to educate students. This was far more important than the right of students to have a good time with their families. South College deserves a full apology. This is not the time to quote Orwell from self-aggrandizing quotes.

It is important to acknowledge that the wife of the principal was at times inappropriate or even antagonistic. Our community expects guests to be respectful. The Colleges aren’t places for bullying children; instead, they are communities of learning. Respect is crucial to the process.

This weekend we read extensively about the Principal and his ‘rights. He has been largely ignored in our discussions. Our community should not focus on his distractions, but on what standards we can expect from a Principal of College. We have witnessed this behavior in our own college. See the Friday Night videos. See the testimonies of the students present as well the statements made by representatives from our College and SU Associations. It isn’t the behavior we want to see in a leader, teacher or support person.

Durham’s dysfunctional culture is widespread. This is not an isolated instance, but the result of a failure to address unacceptable behaviours over a long period. While we have appreciated the efforts of the University leadership in addressing the past problems and the commitments made, this incident is a reminder that culture and policy are equally important. This test is for each of us. We will accept the way we lead a College like it is normal if we do.

Despite the positive aspects of South College’s work, Tim Luckhurst is in a position that makes Durham untenable. It is unacceptable for a Principal to call students pathetic and abuse them, then later attack them because they want to be secure in their own home. Our collegiate community is no longer at risk from the Principal of South College, who has become an intellectual and pastoral leader.

This is a time to be clear about our beliefs and express anger at this reaction. Students, staff, and supporters are encouraged to contact the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience) and voice their opinion. Recognizing Friday’s actions as unacceptable, we now need to engage in a larger conversation about expectations for our leaders. The conversation needs to be more than one person’s misdeeds.

In situations such as these, when someone feels they are wrong, but is convinced that their rights are right, it may be very easy to make them a martyr. We cannot afford for someone so obviously against our values to be subjected or lied about as a victim. The University leadership can be trusted to do right, even though it won’t all be public and the result won’t come immediately. Although we are right to be mad at people who have violated the values of the community, we also understand the reasons why the institution makes cautious statements about these matters. Their response will determine how we judge them and whether they show that Tim Luckhurst can be trusted. 

Reported: Durham University’s ex-head girl who hates Torys set up a ‘culture commission to deconstruct toxicity’

  • Campaign to remove Durham Uni Professor Tim Luckhurst was led by Seun Twins
  • After he called walkout in Rod Liddle speech of woke students “pathetic”, Came.
  • Twins created a “culture commission” to “locate and destroy toxicity at her university.”
  • She has been known to refer to Jeremy Corbyn (ex-Labour leader) as “the white king”.

Left-wing student leader Tim Luckhurst, who launched a campaign for Professor Tim Luckhurst’s ouster, described Jeremy Corbyn to be ‘the white king” and recommended that Tories should ‘be dealt with.

Seun Twins stated that the goal of the union is to ‘unravel the unfair power dynamics that permeate into culture of privilege at the university.

To ‘explore, locate, and eventually deconstruct toxicology at Durham’ she has created a “culture commission”.

Seun Twins, the left-wing student leader behind a campaign to oust a Durham University lecturer, has previously described Jeremy Corbyn as 'the white king' and suggested Tories should be 'dealt with'

Seun Twins, the left-wing student leader behind a campaign to oust a Durham University lecturer, has previously described Jeremy Corbyn as ‘the white king’ and suggested Tories should be ‘dealt with’

Miss Twins, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, called for Tories’ ‘dealt’ by roadmen in an Instagram post. This leak came from her private Instagram account.

According to Collins Dictionary, Roadman can be defined as someone who is involved in drug sales and spends a lot of time in the street.

She said, “I don’t condone violence, but sometimes, when you are in such grotesque entitlements, do you just want to shout, “We need these tories to South London”? But you realize that they are looking for a charismatic, palatable black girl to run their country. You must smile and wave. [sic]

Miss Twins has said the union's objective is 'unravelling the unfair power dynamics which permeate into a culture of privilege' at the university. It comes after Professor Tim Luckhurst (pictured), principal of Durham’s South College, branding a walkout by woke students ‘pathetic’ and is now facing investigation

Miss Twins stated that the union is working to ‘unravel the unfair power dynamics, which have permeated into a culture based on privilege at the university’. It comes after Professor Tim Luckhurst (pictured), principal of Durham’s South College, branding a walkout by woke students ‘pathetic’ and is now facing investigation

The students staged a walkout during a speech by right-wing journalist Rod Liddle (pictured)

Students protested Rod Liddle, right-wing journalist (pictured), during his speech.

Later, she claimed that the posting was about bullying. It was actually an expression of how she felt she needed to be presented ‘because racism and sexism.

In her second year of Durham Students’ Union presidency, Miss Twins made it clear where she is politically aligned.

Previous Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was a hero to her.

Following her senior roles with the Intersectional Feminism Society of Durham and the Durham People Of Colour Association Miss Twins became the president of the Camden School for Girls.