Cabinet minister forced to pay damages after accusing academic of Hamas support
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Michelle Donelan, the Science Secretary, has agreed to pay damages to a professor after falsely accusing her of backing Hamas.
In October, Ms Donelan wrote to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) calling for an investigation into Prof Kate Sang of Heriot-Watt University, who she accused of supporting terrorism.
Prof Sang, a member of Research England’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) advisory group, posted a Guardian article on Twitter, now X, titled: “Suella Braverman urges police to crack down on Hamas support in UK” commenting: “This is disturbing.”
Donelan said she was “outraged” and “staggered” by Prof Sang’s tweet claiming it had broken rules of public office and called for the EDI to be immediately disbanded.
However on Tuesday, UKRI said an investigation had found no evidence of support for a proscribed terrorist organisation or sharing of extremist material.
Donelan said she had withdrawn the allegation, adding in a statement: “I fully accept that she (Prof Sang) is not an extremist, a supporter of Hamas or any other proscribed organisation.”
Law firm Bindmans, which brought the libel action against Donelan on behalf of Prof Sang, said that the Secretary of State had agreed to pay undisclosed damages and costs.
‘Disturbed’
Professor Sang said: “I am delighted that this matter has now concluded, but very disturbed by the way in which Michelle Donelan and UKRI behaved.
“Had they asked me at the start, I would have explained the true position. Instead, Michelle Donelan made a cheap political point at my expense and caused serious damage to my reputation.
Prof Sang said she would donate part of the damages to charity.
The inquiry by the UKRI also cleared Dr Kamna Patel, of University College London (UCL) of sharing extremist material. It found there was no failure to uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life, known as The Nolan Principles.
Dr Patel said: “There was never any need for UKRI to investigate as it should have been obvious from the start that we had not breached the Nolan principles or expressed extremist views.
“Worryingly, it appears UKRI were steered by who made the claim and not its substance. It has been a distressing series of events and I am glad that it has concluded with no finding against us.”
‘Disproportionate response’
The unprecedented intervention by Donelan came following an investigation by the Policy Exchange think-tank which accused several members of the EDI of showing extremist support.
When The Telegraph contacted members they were quick to deny the allegations.
Prof Dibyesh Anand, of Westminster University, who was accused of anti-Israeli sentiment, said at the time: “It is rather disturbing that I am being called anti-Israel by Policy Exchange when on social media, I am being called pro-Israel for constantly opposing glorification of Hamas and speaking against anti-Semitism.”
The investigation led to widespread condemnation by the scientific community, with The British Neuroscience Association (BNA) writing to the UKRI accusing it of a “completely disproportionate response”.
Tamsin Allen, of Bindmans, who represented Professor Sang in her libel complaint said: “Michelle Donelan has now withdrawn her false allegations and agreed to pay damages and costs to Professor Sang.
“It is extraordinary that a Minister should be guided by a lobby group into making serious false allegations about private citizens without doing the first piece of due diligence.”
The UKRI said it “regretted any difficulties” experienced by members of the EDI group and said it “warmly invited” them to reconvene.
Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser, the UKRI chief executive, said: “Our intention, as soon as these concerns were raised by the Secretary of State, was to adopt a well-governed process to support evidenced, principled decisions.
“I am grateful for the thorough work of all those involved in this investigation. I hope this will bring clear resolution in a way that best supports all of those who serve on our advisory groups, and research and innovation in the UK.”
