Oxford students calling for Boris Johnson to be banned from his former college
Anti-Brexit protesters opposite the Houses of Parliament in Westminster after Jo Johnson left his brother's cabinet. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA. - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
A student has started a petition attempting to ban Boris Johnson from his former Oxford University college, saying it is no longer an 'old boys' club'.
The petition calls on Balliol College to publicly condemn the prime minister for suspending parliament, remove his alumni status and to stop him from attending any of the college's events.
Harriet Lester, a PhD student, began the petition with fellow student Andrew MacGowans, after meeting at a protest rally in the city.
Lester said "everyone" at the college was appalled by the recent "political coup".
Asked if lecturers and other pupils were supportive of her petition, she said "everyone has been on board and they agree something has to be done.
You may also want to watch:
"There's been little resistance. But we have told the college, you're siding with the oppressor by not saying anything."
The petition was not about being for or against Brexit, but aimed to make people realise "things are changing; it's no longer an old boys' club (at Oxford), but a place which welcomes everyone," she said.
Most Read
- 1 Sky News presenter says Boris Johnson is 'gaslighting the nation' over Covid claims
- 2 Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid reject Boris Johnson's coronavirus claim
- 3 Nigel Farage reminded of claim that 'acid test of Brexit' surrounds fishing after clip resurfaces
- 4 Home Office launches voluntary repatriation scheme for EU nationals
- 5 PMQs: Boris Johnson calls for apology from Keir Starmer over coronavirus stances
- 6 Brussels politician says Boris Johnson should 'pay for EU workers to stay' in UK
- 7 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 8 Michael Gove claims Boris Johnson is a 'huge asset' to Scotland
- 9 Jeremy Corbyn loses bid to release Labour documents ahead of High Court battle
- 10 Boris Johnson is the 'worst PM' and should resign, says Alastair Campbell
Lester stressed that the protest that sparked the petition was attended by those with pro- and anti-Brexit views and people from across the political spectrum "including Conservative speakers".
"This petition is a way to bring dialogue," she added.
The petition says: "Balliol College's student body has consistently demonstrated its commitment to democratic values.
"We call upon its members to sign this petition in order to to put pressure on college administration to take definitive action in this matter."
The prime minister studied classics at Balliol College in the 1980s and was also a member of the controversial Bullingdon dining club at the time.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.