Academic calls for university action on Prince concerns
A FORMER leading academic at the University of Huddersfield wants it to take action against Prince Andrew over concerns he is not an appropriate role model for students.
Respected author Dr Stephen Dorril has called on the university to investigate the Duke, who has been its Chancellor since 2015, after the royal was accused of having sex with a victim of his paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein.
The Prince, 59, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Dr Dorril, who was for many years Senior Lecturer in Print Journalism in the university’s Media and Journalism Department, has written to its solicitor and secretary, Michaela Boryslawskyj, demanding to know what action would be taken following the recent allegations.
He said: “Could you inform what action and procedures the university is taking to safeguard the good name and values of the institution as laid in the University Council documents.
“I would presume that following precedent, such a person would be immediately suspended whilst the correct procedures are followed.”
Dr Dorril said he felt “it would appear to be a serious breach of university regulations on dealing with young people and that normally such an action would lead to the suspension of a lecturer.”
It’s understood the academic raised concerns after a student believed she was deliberately obstructed from standing for student office after she raised issue with Andrew’s role.
And another student, Olivia Russell, 20, who is studying broadcast journalism at the University of Huddersfield, says she wants to see a better role model in place.
“As he is an important figure in society, as part of the establishment, it could be damaging for the university to endorse somebody like him.
“On campus there’s a lot of movements going around that embraces power to women.
“It’s not a good thing for the university to be affiliated with him because there are ongoing issues of sexual harassment in Huddersfield.
“There are grooming gangs and exploitation just like Rochdale and Rotherham and we recently saw 20 men convicted of these activities.
“It’s a bad message to send out. There are better role models.”
But she added: “It is not fair to remove him but it should be reviewed because the allegations against Prince Andrew have still not been proven at this stage.”
The University of Huddersfield has issued a statement defending the Prince while refusing to take action against him.
A spokeswoman said: “HRH The Duke of York has long ties with the University stretching back to his first visit in 2001. He became its Patron in 2013 and was then conferred as Chancellor in 2015.
“As Chancellor, he has taken a keen interest in the work of the University and has represented it in his official capacity on numerous occasions.
“His enthusiasm for innovation and entrepreneurship is a natural fit with the work of the University and every year the University of Huddersfield organises The Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Awards.
“In relation to the allegations, The Palace has issued an emphatic denial and we have nothing to add to this statement.”