ALEX Salmond has accused a Scottish university of a “sinister attack” on freedom of speech after an Alba Party event was cancelled at the last minute.
The Aberdeen University Student Union (AUSU) golf club decided to withdraw the booking ahead of a Wee Alba Book roadshow event.
The student association said it did not believe it was appropriate to “promote one single party” so close to the council elections.
Alba claimed the event booking was withdrawn after supporters of the Scottish Government’s gender recognition reforms objected to the event.
READ MORE: Alex Salmond launches 100,000 ‘Wee Alba Books’ setting out updated case for indy
The union’s president said some trans students had raised concerns about the event, adding that the student organisation stands behind the trans community.
Alba said the meeting was to discuss its Wee Alba Book, which launched last month and aims to convince voters to back Yes, and not to talk about the GRA reforms.
The GRA reforms are designed to make it easier for trans people to legally change their gender.
There has been pushback against the plans from Alba, the Tories and some women's groups.
Salmond said the event ban won't deter the party from continuing to speak out on the issue.
The former First Minister said: “The attempt to cancel a meeting on The Wee ALBA Book in Aberdeen University tonight (Friday) represents a sinister attack on freedom of speech.
"There is a small group of activists stretching across Scotland and the UK who think it OK to disrupt meetings or cancel individuals via social media if anyone just might disagree with them on the issue of the proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act. Their targets have ranged recently from Joanna Cherry MP to JK Rowling."
He continued: "Those who bow to this pressure like the University Students Association are more culpable. Have they never heard of the role of Universities in enshrining freedom of speech?"
Salmond said the event went ahead outside the event space with more than 60 people attending.
He said: "The three protesters who actually turned up were polite well behaved and asked a perfectly reasonable question. Indeed it demonstrated why dialogue beats bans anytime, anywhere.
"Alba will not be deterred by these silly attempts at bans from making the serious case for the urgency of independence, a case which is supported by half the population of Scotland.
"Nor will we be deflected from the entirely reasonable proposal to refer the issue of the GRA to a Citizens Assembly where the heat can be extracted from the politics and some badly needed light shed on the issue.”
Alisa Koester, Ausa student President, said: “AUSA fully supports the Golf Club’s decision to withdraw their backing for last evening’s event. We believe it would be highly inappropriate for AUSA or the University to host an event promoting a single political party so close to Council elections.
“AUSA stands in full solidarity with the trans community who raised concerns about the event. Our campus should be a safe place where all our students feel welcome.”
READ MORE: Case for indyref2 has never been stronger, Alex Salmond tells Alba conference
A spokesperson for the Golf Club said: “Yesterday afternoon, the AUSA Golf Club withdrew the room booking for the proposed event in the evening. We did not have a full understanding of the political nature of the event at the time of booking, and would not have submitted the request had we had a clear understanding of the situation.
“The Golf Club is a sports club for students to enjoy one of the most popular sports in Scotland. We do not hold any political affiliation and will look more thoroughly at our approach to bookings going forward. We’d like to apologise to anyone affected by this.
“We are an inclusive club that supports the diversity of our members. Golf is a sport enjoyed by a variety of people no matter their background and identity, and we are very proud to offer accessible golfing for all students.”
An Aberdeen University spokesperson said: “The University is aware that the Student Association’s Golf Club cancelled a planned event within one of our buildings on campus on Friday evening.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel