Nuanced take on Ponsati case

Sir, – Your report claiming that St Andrews University is “under pressure from some of its staff” in light of our support for Professor Clara Ponsati, who is threatened with extradition to Spain, contains several inaccuracies and gives a very misleading picture of our position.

Only one member of staff at St Andrews has complained to the university. That is not “some”, it’s one. Several more than one have actually written or called in support of our position, while another 100 academics led by Noam Chomsky have signed a petition endorsing St Andrews’ position. The signatories include staff from Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh universities.

More importantly, however, the report perpetuates the convenient myth that the university has adopted a partisan position in its support for Clara. It has not. Our position, which has not wavered, is that there are legitimate arguments that Clara may have been targeted by Spain because of her political beliefs. We have not made those arguments, we have pointedly not said if we agree with them, but the fact that they exist is undeniable, and it is proper that they should be tested in public debate, academic argument and through the legal process.

Our primary responsibility to Clara is as her employer, and in that capacity we are committed to protect and help her.

You also chose not to report the fact that our principal, Professor Sally Mapstone, is in Spain at present where she is a speaker at a major conference run by Santander, opened by the King of Spain and attended by leading figures from Spanish universities.

Her welcome has been warm and collegial, as one would expect, and among the delegates it is clear there is a good understanding and acceptance of St Andrews’ nuanced position on this matter. Niall Scott. Director of communications, St Andrews University.