Queen's University Belfast says it acted against George Mitchell because of 'incorrect assurances about Epstein contact'
Queen's University Belfast (QUB) has told the News Letter it moved to expunge George Mitchell's name from its campus because his "assurances regarding his contact with Epstein" were "incorrect".
It comes as Daniel Mulhall, former Irish ambassador to both the UK and US, told the News Letter that the it was "not up to" the university to "determine guilt", after it removed Mr Mitchell's name from one of its institutes and removed a large metal bust of him from outside the Whitla Hall.
The new QUB statement adds an extra level of detail to what had already been released about the Mitchell affair last week, when it said: "This decision follows the emergence of new information contained in the Epstein files released on Friday, which include references to Senator Mitchell.
"While no findings of wrongdoing by Senator Mitchell have been made, the university has concluded that, in light of this material, and mindful of the experiences of victims and survivors, it is no longer appropriate for its institutional spaces and entities to continue to bear his name.
"As a civic institution with a global reputation for leadership in peace, reconciliation, and justice, Queen’s University Belfast must ensure that its honours and symbols reflect the highest standards consistent with its values and responsibilities.
"Queen's University is not currently considering any action against other individuals."
Daniel Mulhall (Dublin's ambassador to Washington from 2017 to 2022, and before that to London) said: "Whatever the truth may be, and I hope it can somehow be determined, this is a sad situation.
"Sad if he is guilty because such conduct would be reprehensible and completely at odds with his exemplary conduct as [Good Friday] talks chairman.
"Sad too if it was a case of mistaken identity because recent developments have undoubtedly cast a pall across his huge achievement in bringing peace to our island.
"I accept that Queen's faced a dilemma but it should not be up to a university to determine someone’s guilt in a situation like this.
"Queen’s took a very quick decision and may have reasons for doing so."
Mr Mulhall had earlier re-tweeted a message by Niall O’Dowd (founder of the website Irishcentral.com) calling QUB’s actions a “lynching”.
Unionist peer and ex-Labour minister Kate Hoey has also told the News Letter: "I do think the university should've not taken such an instant decision, and looked into the matter more fully. Have they talked to Mr Mitchell? …
"They should've given a bit more reflection before destroying completely the reputation of a figure that's very important in Northern Ireland."
After these comments were put to it, Queen's has now responded: "Senator Mitchell previously provided public assurances regarding his contact with Epstein post conviction.
"The files released on Friday have shown this to be incorrect and in light of this information, the University acted accordingly.
"We have nothing further to add."
The accusations against Mr Mitchell - who was a former QUB chancellor and US special envoy to Northern Ireland – essentially boil down to two things.
Firstly, there is the claim from Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre - first aired in 2019 - that she had been "instructed" to have sex with a series of men, including Mr Mitchell.
Mr Mitchell, who has never faced any charges, maintains he has never met or spoken to the now-dead Ms Giuffre, and has indicated this claim is a case of mistaken identity.
Secondly, there is the question of whether Mr Mitchell maintained any contact with Epstein after his conviction for procuring underage prostitution in 2008.
The most recent batch of files about Epstein released by the US government contain documents purporting to show some kind of post-2008 contact between Mr Mitchell and Epstein’s office.
This includes a reference to Mr Mitchell returning a phone call, and e-mails about a possible meeting between the two men (though it is not clear from the documents if any such meeting was ever actually agreed).
The BBC has reported that a spokesman for Mr Mitchell says the former senator "declined or deflected the few invitations" he received from Epstein.
There has also been criticism of Queen's decision from ex-SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell ("Queen’s used and abused him for their advantage and now try to discard him”), commentator Eoghan Harris (who said Mr Mitchell has been "condemned by weasel words on the flimsiest of evidence"), and Belfast unionist figure Jeff Dudgeon (who likened the affair to a "witch-hunt").
Ex-taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said it is “not clear” what Mr Mitchell is meant to have done wrong.