Student groups have expressed dismay at the appointment of a Stonewall founder who left the charity after diverging with its views on transgender rights.
Following an uncontested election, broadcaster and gay rights activist Simon Fanshawe was named as rector of the University of Edinburgh, saying he would use the role to advance "fearlessness" in intellectual debates.
In his new role, the 67-year-old will represent students and staff on the University Court.
READ MORE: Security guard 'punched' member of public at government quango offices
Staff and students are able to nominate a candidate for the senior position but the university said Mr Fanshawe was the only nomination received.
Groups at the university, which has been riven in recent years over the debate around the convergence of women's and trans rights, reacted with dismay to the appointment.
Edinburgh Labour Students said: "Edinburgh Labour Students are disappointed that Simon Fanshawe has been elected Rector of the University of Edinburgh.
"Staff and students should all feel welcome and respected on campus, and we do not believe that this appointment achieves that.
"We stand in solidarity with the transgender community."
Jonathan MacBride, a member of the university’s Staff Pride Network, challenged the appointment on social media platform X, writing: "What on earth? How can he be permitted?
"He campaigns against the legitimacy of trans people."
Mr Fanshawe strongly disputed the characterisation and offered to meet with Mr MacBride.
He responded: "Let me be absolutely clear. I do not, and never have, campaigned against the legitimacy of trans people. Please read what I have written."
In a statement released by the University of Edinburgh, Mr Fanshawe said he hoped to install a culture of "mutual understanding" during his tenure.
It is not the first time issues of transgender rights have caused ructions at the university.
In 2021, former university rector Ann Henderson said she feared for her safety on campus after being accused of transphobia by students.
Sir Tom Devine, the professor emeritus of Scottish history at Edinburgh, said at the time that "an unacceptable and sinister culture has been allowed to develop in Scotland’s greatest university".
Students circulated an anonymous letter saying they no longer felt safe in lectures given by Dr Neil Thin, a lecturer in social anthropology who had worked at Edinburgh for 34 years.
Dr Thin was subject to an eight-week investigation and a suspension over the matter, also in 2021, before being exonerated.
The row emerged after the senior lecturer opposed calls to rename the David Hume Tower due to comments the philosopher made in 1742.
Mr Fanshawe's appointment was welcomed in other quarters with the Edinburgh Academics for Academic Freedom group writing: "We’re over the moon at this news, and we look forward to welcoming you to the University of Edinburgh.
"You’re the perfect person for the role."
Professor Ruth Jepson wrote: "As a Professor at Edinburgh University I am delighted that Simon Fanshawe has been appointed as rector.
"Scientific debate is an essential ingredient for a progressive society. Paraphrasing our Enlightenment alumni, David Hume, 'A wise [wo]man proportions his belief to the evidence.'"
The new rector, who begins his role on March 4 and takes over from Debora Kayembe, who has served as Rector since 2021, had previously called Stonewall a "propaganda machine" and said it "preaches extreme and divisive gender ideology under the guise of ‘factual’ information".
A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: “The Rector is nominated and elected by students and staff and is not an appointment of the executive or governing body of the university.
"All staff and matriculated students are eligible to nominate a candidate.
"Only one valid nomination was received by the deadline of February 5.
"In accordance with the regulations governing the election process, Simon Fanshawe has been named as Rector uncontested."
Mr Fanshawe is a consultant and practitioner in the field of diversity, author, broadcaster and activist and was formerly Chair of the Governing Council of the University of Sussex from 2007 to 2013.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel