Cambridge college sorry for handling of anti-semitic attack
THE Master of a Cambridge college has admitted she caused “dismay and hurt” to Jewish students over a “misleading” investigation into anti-semitism.
Christ’s College apologised for its handling of a complaint by two Jewish students subjected to abuse by members of college sporting societies.
The college initially insisted it could find no evidence that the Jewish students were racially abused and dismissed their claims. But it was forced to review the case after the attack was highlighted by The Daily Telegraph amid accusations of a cover-up.
Prof Jane Stapleton had sent a letter to alumni, criticising the Telegraph over “misleading press coverage” following this newspaper’s reporting of the case. However, in a new statement the college said that Prof Stapleton, an Australian academic lawyer, now admitted she had given the “seriously misleading impression” that the victims’ claims had been rejected.
“This caused considerable hurt and dismay to the reporting students and others in the Jewish community.”
The students were attacked on Oct 28 as they walked past the graduate union building where Christ’s College’s Marguerites and Hippolytans Societies had been holding a party.
The victims were pushed and subjected to abusive comments including “dirty Jews, you don’t belong here” and “Jews get out of here”. One victim told how they were set upon by “about seven, large intimidating males” from the drinking society.
After CCTV footage was examined two Christ’s College students were disciplined for “swearing and physical aggression” but the much more serious charge of anti-semitism was dropped.
The college insisted that because there was no audio recording it could not show the attack was racially motivated. But under pressure following the Telegraph article, published in November, the college instituted an external investigation headed by the former Court of Appeal judge Dame Janet Smith which found “significant failings” in the handling of the complaint. Christ’s had not identified the student responsible for the anti-semitic attack and then allowed the Master to make statements that suggested the victims’ claims had been rejected.
The college also failed to interview the victims and refused to explain to them how it was conducting its internal inquiry. The college then discovered that its own rules prevented it from punishing the sporting societies collectively by fining them.
Last night the college said: “It is deeply regrettable that no member of the sporting societies has come forward to admit responsibility for the abuse”, adding that the ban on the societies holding social events out of college would remain until October 2019.
Shlomo Roiter-jesner, one of the two students attacked, said: “We are satisfied that Christ’s is now comfortable admitting that anti-semitic conduct occurred and is taking steps to improve their disciplinary system.” The students were backed by the campaign group Jewish Human Rights Watch.