Durham Students’ Union apologises for “unfair and undemocratic” dismissal of student editor in transphobia row

By Clara Gaspar

Durham Students’ Union has deemed the firing of assistant editor of Critique and General Editor of The Bubble “unfair and undemocratic”.

In September, Angelos Sofocleous was removed from his roles at Durham’s Philosophy Society journal, Critique, and The Bubble after posting a tweet that read: “RT (retweet) if women don’t have penises” linked to an article on the same subject in The Spectator.

He was later sent an email from the President of the Philosophy society notifying him that he had been removed from his position following a vote by the society.

The email stated that his comments were “transphobic” and served to “belittle trans experiences” while leaving “no room for or to promote any fair discussions.”

After his dismissal from his offices as assistant editor of Critique and General Editor of The Bubble, Sofocleous filed a formal complaint to Durham’s Students’ Union regarding his “unfair treatment”.

The matter was subsequently investigated, and in a letter addressed to Angelos Sofocleous from the Chief Executive of Durham Students’ Union, Sofocleous’ dismissal from the institutions was deemed “procedurally incorrect”, “unfair and undemocratic”.

In the letter from Durham Students’ Union, Sofocleous was told:

“I make no judgement as to the merits of your statements or actions in this complaint outcome.

“You are entitled to hold and express these views.

“The Societies were also entitled to react to your free speech with their own expression of free speech, including a vote of no confidence.”

The letter added, “This is, in my view, an indication of a healthy democratic environment – as long as both sides are heard. This did not happen in your case.”

A post of apology has also been published on the Students’ Union website, reading, “After investigation, Durham SU wishes to apologise to Angelos Sofocleous for the process used to remove him from the roles of Deputy Editor of The Bubble and Assistant Editor of the Philosophy Society Journal, Critique, for which the controlling body and the publisher.”

The Chief Executive of Durham Students’ Union said he would require both Critique and The Bubble to publish an apology for their actions on the Durham SU website.

Sofocleous told Palatinate: “It is encouraging to see that there are still mechanisms in place through which justice is delivered, securing that a person is free to exercise their freedom of thought and speech. Democratic principles have prevailed over authoritarian tactics.”

When asked if he would consider taking up his role at Critique again, Sofocleous stated, “It is doubtful that they will offer to put me back in position, but it is unlikely that I will accept such an offer.

“There is nothing personal with anyone involved in Critique or The Bubble, but since the firings I have been involved in other projects, including joining another university newspaper, and starting a philosophy podcast, and a philosophy journal.”

@ClaraGGaspar

Photograph: Facebook