Cambridge ‘will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour’ as review launched following sexual harassment allegations
The university says the external review will address “institutional weaknesses that have allowed misconduct to occur, and to go unchallenged”
One of Cambridge University’s most well known colleges has said it will not tolerate harassment, inappropriate behaviour or the abuse of power as it launched a review to stop misconduct occurring and going unchallenged.
The move by King’s College comes after it took action against two senior male academics accused of sexual harassment, as first reported by the Times.
In an interview with the newspaper, the college’s provost Gillian Tett suggested sexual harassment and bullying by Oxbridge professors has been normalised in the past.
King’s said the external review will address “institutional weaknesses that have allowed misconduct to occur, and to go unchallenged”.
In a statement, Dr Tett said: “I came to King’s with a personal commitment to build a community where every member is valued, protected, and treated with dignity.
“The recent reporting has been deeply painful – for those directly affected, and for all of us who care about this community.
“I am profoundly grateful to those who have had the courage to come forward. I want them to know that they are heard, and that action is being taken.
“We cannot and will not tolerate harassment, inappropriate behaviour, or the abuse of power.”
The provost told the Times: “What’s happened at King’s has revealed a problem which has been bubbling up right across Oxford and Cambridge in recent years about sexual harassment and bullying.
“There has been a culture in the past which was considered to be very normal, and not just in Cambridge but in much of the British establishment.
“But we’re living in a new world where the younger generation is demanding — quite rightly — a much more inclusive culture of equality.
“That does not mean cancel culture, it does not mean going on witch hunts or finger-pointing. It’s simply a way of signalling that it’s time for us to get into the 21st century.”
Professor Nicola Padfield KC – emeritus professor of law and former master of Fitzwilliam College – will lead the review, which is expected to conclude by March next year.
Its findings and recommendations will be published.