Reform threat to defund Uni

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.

- By OWEN HUGHES Chief Reporter owen.hughes@dallypostcouk

Bangor University

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.

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

‘As we reported yesterday, the group - which is run by students through the independent Students’ Union and not by Bangor University itself - said they 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 uni itself.

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 also doubled down on the threat.