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Student union president urged to stand down after 'slapping' woman in face | Student union president urged to stand down after 'slapping' woman in face |
(35 minutes later) | |
Over 3,000 people have signed a petition calling on the incoming student union president at Loughborough University to stand down, after he was banned from the student union for allegedly hitting a woman. | Over 3,000 people have signed a petition calling on the incoming student union president at Loughborough University to stand down, after he was banned from the student union for allegedly hitting a woman. |
The petition, set up by charity Stand Against Violence Loughborough, has garnered 3,300 signatures at the time of writing. Edward Reckless was banned from the union at the end of January for apparently slapping a woman in the face twice while on a night out. | |
The petition states: “He was banned from the very union he wished to lead for being violent towards a woman, and yet he now represents and speaks on behalf of all Loughborough students. We do not want a president who has actively been violent towards a woman to represent us.” | The petition states: “He was banned from the very union he wished to lead for being violent towards a woman, and yet he now represents and speaks on behalf of all Loughborough students. We do not want a president who has actively been violent towards a woman to represent us.” |
Ella Gibbons, women’s officer at Loughborough student union, says: “I don’t think our student union should be represented by someone who has actively participated in violence against women. That the student union have allowed him to be elected highlights that they are not taking the wider issues of drinking culture and lad culture on campus seriously. | Ella Gibbons, women’s officer at Loughborough student union, says: “I don’t think our student union should be represented by someone who has actively participated in violence against women. That the student union have allowed him to be elected highlights that they are not taking the wider issues of drinking culture and lad culture on campus seriously. |
“Many students and staff members were horrified at the result, and as women’s officer I received a huge number of complaints. It’s an embarrassment for our union and student members to be represented nationally, by someone who actively participated in violence towards a fellow student.” | “Many students and staff members were horrified at the result, and as women’s officer I received a huge number of complaints. It’s an embarrassment for our union and student members to be represented nationally, by someone who actively participated in violence towards a fellow student.” |
In a public apology published on the Loughborough student union website, Reckless says: “I do not feel this has any bearing on my ability to fulfil the role of president. On reflection of my first experience being ejected from the students union, it has allowed me to learn and move on from my mistakes, and ensure that moving forward it will not happen again. | In a public apology published on the Loughborough student union website, Reckless says: “I do not feel this has any bearing on my ability to fulfil the role of president. On reflection of my first experience being ejected from the students union, it has allowed me to learn and move on from my mistakes, and ensure that moving forward it will not happen again. |
“Without trying to excuse my behaviour, I have since taken the appropriate actions and would again like to reiterate my sincerest apologies to the union, its staff and all people involved.” | “Without trying to excuse my behaviour, I have since taken the appropriate actions and would again like to reiterate my sincerest apologies to the union, its staff and all people involved.” |
However, Gibbons has criticised the apology. She says: “His apology was not very strong and at the time of voting for him, many students were completely unaware of the incident.” | However, Gibbons has criticised the apology. She says: “His apology was not very strong and at the time of voting for him, many students were completely unaware of the incident.” |
Kris Cussan, a student at Loughborough University, says: “We are annoyed he is downplaying the incident and with his excuses, when he should just admit what he did was grossly wrong. It reflects badly on Loughborough University, voting in someone who would strike fellow students, something that happened just briefly before he decided to stand. We are angry that there were only two candidates and many are disappointed that they didn’t know what he had done and that he was allowed to stand at all.” | Kris Cussan, a student at Loughborough University, says: “We are annoyed he is downplaying the incident and with his excuses, when he should just admit what he did was grossly wrong. It reflects badly on Loughborough University, voting in someone who would strike fellow students, something that happened just briefly before he decided to stand. We are angry that there were only two candidates and many are disappointed that they didn’t know what he had done and that he was allowed to stand at all.” |
Students at other universities have taken to social media to show their support for the campaign. | Students at other universities have taken to social media to show their support for the campaign. |
. @UCLU_WomensNet in solidarity with Loughborough feminists! Ed Reckless must stand down. @LSUWomenOfficer pic.twitter.com/zaWrXICGca | . @UCLU_WomensNet in solidarity with Loughborough feminists! Ed Reckless must stand down. @LSUWomenOfficer pic.twitter.com/zaWrXICGca |
Ed Reckless' violence against a fellow student should not be rewarded with Union presidency. Sign the petition: https://t.co/K8zZrZrqbg | Ed Reckless' violence against a fellow student should not be rewarded with Union presidency. Sign the petition: https://t.co/K8zZrZrqbg |
Loughborough student union has been contacted for comment. | Loughborough student union has been contacted for comment. |
Keep up with the latest on Guardian Students: follow us on Twitter at @GdnStudents – and become a member to receive exclusive benefits and our weekly newsletter. | Keep up with the latest on Guardian Students: follow us on Twitter at @GdnStudents – and become a member to receive exclusive benefits and our weekly newsletter. |
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