‘DISGUSTED BY TOBY’S SICK TWEET’
Musician shocked by Tory uni watchdog member’s starving children ‘joke’
“He obviously hasn’t taken any responsibility.”
Young insisted he has the right credentials to serve on the board of the new university regulator.
In a blog post and Twitter messages, Mr Young argued that a lack of direct experience in the higher education sector does not disqualify him from serving on the board of the Office for Students, and that his work record, including encouraging disadvantaged teenagers to apply to top institutions, and co-founding four schools, makes him a suitable candidate.
The Department for Education (DfE) announced on Monday the names of the final six people, including Mr Young, to join the 15-strong board of the OfS, but opponents questioned whether Mr Young has the expertise and experience.
Some on social media have also accused Mr Young of making crude and inappropriate remarks in social media posts in the past, including about women’s breasts.
The OfS’s remit will include issues like ensuring universities fulfil their duty to protect free speech on campus.
Mr Young said: “Given that defending free speech will be one of the OfS’s priorities, there’s a certain irony in people saying I’m ‘unfit’ to serve on its board because of politically incorrect things I’ve said in the past.
“Some of those things have been sophomoric and silly, and I regret those, but some have been deliberately misinterpreted to try and paint me as a caricature of a heartless Tory toff.
“For the record, I’m a supporter of women’s rights and LGBT rights. I’m also a defender of teaching children with disabilities in mainstream schools.”
Among those to criticise Mr Young’s appointment was Labour MP David Lammy, who tweeted: “Weeks after sexual harassment scandals break across Westminster the Govt somehow deem it appropriate to appoint an avowed and proudly sexist misogynist to public office.”
He said he will be asking questions in Parliament.
Mr Young’s appointment has been backed by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who earlier tweeted: “Ridiculous outcry over Toby Young. He will bring independence, rigour and caustic wit. Ideal man for job.”