Oxford University college cancelled Christian youth camp

Oxford college cancelled Christian youth camp after students complained they were ‘distressed’ by attendees approaching them about gay conversion therapy and ‘aggressively’ handing out leaflets… despite no evidence of any leaflets

• Oxford University college apologised for hosting event for young Christians 
• It also cancelled future booking but has now been warned over discrimination
• Attendees were claimed to be asking students about LGBT conversion therapy
• But independent review has found no evidence of the claims made by students

An Oxford University college may be unlawfully discriminating against Christians after it cancelled an event booking following ‘ill-founded complaints’ by students.

Worcester College apologised for hosting a Christian Concern youth training camp and cancelled a further booking after students said it had left them ‘distressed’.

Students claimed attendees at the ‘Wilberforce Academy’ event were carrying out ‘aggressive leafleting’ and approaching them to discuss gay conversion therapy.

But an independent review found no evidence of the claims made by students at the college, which is led by the former head of the equalities watchdog David Isaac.

The college had said it was concerned by views expressed at the conference on ‘reproductive rights’ and ‘conversion therapy’, which ‘do not align with our values’.

The event is a one-week conference for university students and young professionals which discusses Christian faith within contemporary culture and in the workplace. 

The college said they do not accept the review’s findings, which also found that university staff could not find a copy of the leaflet. And the Free Speech Union has now warned the college that it may be unlawfully discriminating against Christians.

A session at last year’s Wilberforce Academy event for young Christians in Oxford is pictured

The FSU urged Mr Isaac to apologise and reinstate the cancelled event in September following the inquiry led by lawyer Michael Stewart, reported the Daily Telegraph.

Toby Young, general secretary of the FSU, said in a letter that the ‘uncritical acceptance of claims that the conference harmed students was a serious error’.

Worcester College is led by the former head of the equalities watchdog David Isaac

He added: ‘The college should have investigated and faced down students’ ill-founded complaints. No higher education institution should apologise for free speech.

‘You do not need reminding that refusing to provide the College’s services because of Christian Concern’s religious beliefs would constitute unlawful discrimination.

‘We continue to stand by Christian Concern and will provide whatever legal and financial assistance we deem appropriate should this matter escalate.’

Officials at Worcester College did not engage with the investigation but have since agreed to meet with Christian Concern, which is an evangelical pressure group based in London.

A Worcester College spokesman said: ‘It is disappointing that ahead of a meeting between the College and Christian Concern, the contents of the report commissioned by Christian Concern have been made public without an opportunity for us to discuss it with them.

Last year’s Christian Concern youth training camp the Wilberforce Academy was in Oxford

‘The college looks forward to a constructive meeting but wishes to make it clear that it does not accept many of the findings of this report’. 

The self-styled ‘People’s Republic of Worcester College’ was previously led by Dr Kate Tunstall, who was called ‘Red Kate’

The issue was even raised in Parliament last September following media coverage of Mr Isaac’s apology to students. During a debate on the government’s proposed Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, MP Fiona Bruce mentioned the story.

The politician said at the time: ‘The Wilberforce Academy has been held at Oxbridge colleges for the last 11 years. I have actually spoken at one of its conferences; the students who attend the conference are serious young people seeking to inform themselves about issues of the day. We need to encourage that, not shut it down.’

Mr Isaac, who took over as the new Provost of Worcester College in July 2021, is understood to have ordered an investigation into the hosting of the camp after receiving a complaint from the president of the student union.

Mr Isaac was the previous chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), during which time it released guidelines to protect ‘freedom of expression amid growing criticism of no-platforming decisions’. 

Worcester College apologised to students after hosting the Christian Concern training camp

He was also previously chairman of the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.

Toby Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, warned the college it may be unlawfully discriminating against Christians

Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, said: ‘The inquiry has found, as we anticipated, no evidence that any delegates have done anything to warrant apologising for, being cancelled or discriminated against for their Christian beliefs.

‘Worcester College capitulated to complaints from a handful of students who appear to have felt ‘offended’ following debate on some of the most important social issues of our time.

‘It is disappointing that such a prestigious university and college should be cancelling Christian beliefs, debate and free speech.’

The self-styled ‘People’s Republic of Worcester College’ was previously led by Dr Kate Tunstall, a French literature expert, who was called ‘Red Kate’ for her support for the Labour Party and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

As interim Provost, she was the most prominent figure of a 150-strong faction of rebel Oxford academics threatening to boycott Oriel students over the Cecil Rhodes statue, and once tried to ban the centuries-old customs of standing for dons and saying grace before meals.

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