Cecil Rhodes protest: Oxford University will not bow to demands for removal of statue of benefactor, says Lord Patten
Students are calling for the removal of the statue at Oriel College on the grounds that he was a racist and imperialist
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Oxford University’s chancellor has defended the institution’s relationship with Cecil Rhodes, the 19th-century benefactor who endowed the Rhodes scholarship programme.
Lord Patten, the former Conservative Party chairman, said the university’s history was “not a blank page on which we can write our own version of what it should have been according to our contemporary views and prejudices”.
Oxford students are calling for the removal of a statue of Rhodes at Oriel College on the grounds that he was a racist and imperialist.
Speaking at a ceremony to install Professor Louise Richardson as Oxford’s first female vice-chancellor, the former Governor of Hong Kong added: “We should not be harried into ill-considered actions… actions moreover which may cast doubt on the ability of some who study here to gain a place at this university on their own merits.”
Professor Richardson said that one of Oxford’s biggest challenges was in identifying and attracting talented scholars.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments