Race tsar will get honorary degree despite woke snub
racE tsar Tony Sewell will receive an honorary degree tomorrow months after he was snubbed in a cancel culture row.
He will receive the accolade from Buckingham University in recognition of his work to help disadvantaged children get on to degree courses.
It comes after the veteran education activist had a similar offer withdrawn by Nottingham University in March following pressure from woke campaigners. Dr Sewell wrote a controversial report for ministers which concluded there was no evidence the UK is institutionally racist.
Nottingham then said it would no longer be giving Dr Sewell an honorary degree because the controversy would overshadow its degree ceremony. It prompted criticism that Nottingham was failing to protect his free speech and giving in to cancel culture.
announcing Buckingham’s move yesterday, vice chancellor Professor James Tooley said he had been impressed by Dr Sewell’s charitable work, as well as the government review. He said: ‘The University of Buckingham is conferring the honorary degree on Dr Tony Sewell on the basis of merit alone.
‘It is worth noting, however, that the university is proud of its commitment to free speech and academic freedom.’
Buckingham settled on the idea last July, when Dr Sewell gave a talk about his work with disadvantaged children.
Dr Sewell already has honorary degrees from Essex and Exeter universities for his work to increase university access among underrepresented stu
‘Commitment to free speech’
dents. His charity Generating Genius aims to help young people into top science and technology jobs.
It comes amid a row over free speech at universities, with woke students campaigning to shut down speakers, academics and research they disagree with.
The Government hopes to tackle this with legislation going through Parliament which would see universities and student unions fined for cancelling legal views.