Funding threat over Reform snub

REFORM UK has threatened to defund Bangor University after a student debating society refused to allow the party to hold a Q&A session with its members.

- OWEN HUGHES

It comes after Bangor Debating & Political Society refused a request from Jack Anderton and Sarah Pochin MP of Reform UK to meet and debate students.

As we reported yesterday, the group - which is run by students through the independent Students' Union and not by Bangor University itself - said it had "zero tolerance for any form of racism, transphobia or homophobia displayed by the members of Reform UK".

This triggered a backlash.

Zia Yusuf, head of policy for Reform UK, warned that if in government Reform UK would cut £30m in funding to the Welsh university, despite the decision to refuse the debate not being made by the university itself.

It would signal a similar approach to that taken by Donald Trump in the United States, where the President has sought to influence the actions of universities with the threat of the withdrawal of federal funds for those that don't comply.

Mr Yusuf said: "Bangor University have banned Reform and called us 'racist, transphobic and homophobic'. Bangor receives £30m in state funding a year, much of which comes from Reform-voting taxpayers. I am sure they won't mind losing every penny of that state funding under a Reform government. After all, they wouldn't want a racist's money, would they?"

Deputy leader Richard Tice doubled down on the threat.