DUP MLA: I was assaulted at QUB for being a unionist activist

A DUP MLA has told the Vice Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) how he was assaulted and intimidated for being ‘a unionist activist’ while a student there.
DUP MLA Christopher Stalford recounted three experiences of harrassmentDUP MLA Christopher Stalford recounted three experiences of harrassment
DUP MLA Christopher Stalford recounted three experiences of harrassment

Christopher Stalford told the Stormont Economy Committee this week: “When I was at Queen’s in my first year I was physically assaulted, in my second year I was followed home by a group of people, leaving the library.

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“And in third year I had to be, along with others, escorted by the security guards in the Students Union out of the building because I was a prominent unionist activist.”

QUB Vice Chancellor Ian Greer, also present, said the university has “to steer a very middle ground road” and that he was “very disappointed” to hear of the MLA’s “personal experience”. He added there were many examples of why there was not a chill factor for unionists but accepted “that for some people that is the perception”.

Speaking yesterday on the BBC Nolan Show, ex-DUP MLA Nelson McCausland said 40-50 QUB students had told him of similar experiences. He added that when the DUP’s Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein’s Mitchell McLaughlin were awarded honorary degrees, a group of senior academics objected only to the DUP award. He also noted that when a retired professor criticised the Nolan Show and a serving law lecturer, who was standing for Sinn Fein, refused to condemn the IRA murder of former QUB lecturer Edgar Graham, the university only distanced itself from the professor’s comments.

QUB responded that it is “entirely committed to equality and diversity and has a long track record to demonstrate that commitment”. It added that the background of our staff and student populations are broadly representative of the population of Northern Ireland.