‘Alt-right’ figure in the running to be university rector

CONTROVERSIAL British journalist Milo Yiannopoulos has been nominated for the role of Glasgow University’s next rector.

He is one of 12 names who have been put forward by students at the institute with elections taking place every three years. Mr Yiannopoulos recently caused controversy by making comments alleging sexual relationships between younger boys and adults could be “consensual”. He later apologised.

A scheduled appearance at the American Conservative Union conference was cancelled after the backlash and a book deal was also withdrawn. The 32-year-old, known as a key figure in the so-called “alt-right”, was also previously banned from Twitter after comments made about black actress Leslie Jones starring in the 2016 Ghostbusters film.

After being nominated by at least 10 students, the former Breitbart News editor has accepted the invitation to take part in the election.

National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden was elected in 2014. The role is to represent the interests of the university’s students, working with the Students Representative Council, and is expected to attend five meetings a year.

Among the other nominees this year are lawyer Aamer Anwar and former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, both former Glasgow University students. Mr Anwar tweeted: “I hope whoever wins is a voice [for] students, but disgusted [at] those who nominated Milo Yiannopolous”.

Dr Leif Azzopardi, from the institute’s School of Computing Science, lawyer Lady Cosgrove and American jazz musician John Lindberg have also agreed to take part.