Michelle Donelan told to quit after libelling Scottish uni academic

Michelle Donelan, the Technology Secretary, was forced to pay damages in the realm of £15,000 – with the bill footed by the taxpayer – after she falsely accused Heriot-Watt University’s Professor Kate Sang of extremist views and called for her to be removed from an equality, diversity and inclusion panel.

Dr Kamna Patel, of University College London, was also targeted by the top Tory with accusations of extremism that an investigation later found to be baseless.

Donelan has retracted her comments, and reports say that Downing Street is standing by her.

However, academics have called for her to resign over the scandal.

READ MORE: Tory peer pays damages after calling student 'antisemitic' over BBC show mascot

The University of Glasgow’s Dr Ewan Gibb said: “It’s disgraceful a government minister remains in post after libelling an academic to further an authoritarian crackdown on dissenting views. The government is also to foot her damages bill.

“Congratulations to Kate Sang and everyone who helped her stand up to Donelan.”

The University of Strathclyde’s Professor Tanja Bueltmann said it was a “resignation matter, no question”.

She wrote: “To be clear: as Secretary of State you made false allegations against two academics. You did this publicly on [Twitter/X]. This led to an official investigation.

“A libel complaint was made and you agreed to pay an undisclosed sum. This is a resignation matter, no question.”

SNP MP Joanna Cherry (above) also said Donelan’s case was a resignation matter. The University of Glasgow’s Alison Phipps, the UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts, indicated that she agreed 100%.

University and College Union general secretary Jo Grady said: “Despite using taxpayers’ money to pay damages and settle a libel claim, Michelle Donelan has failed to actually apologise to the individuals she falsely accused and attacked, or for the damage she has done to the academic community.

“That she only retracted her allegations after a lengthy legal process makes matters worse.

“These are not the actions of someone who is engaging with our sector in good faith. As the union representing academics, we are forced to conclude that Ms Donelan’s position is untenable.

“She does not retain the confidence of the academic community, nor is she upholding good standards of professional conduct. She must resign.”

James Chalmers, regius professor of law at the University of Glasgow, wrote: “This does seem to raise the question of why there would have been any costs to the taxpayer arising from an action against Michelle Donelan for something posted to her personal Twitter account.

“There are lots of circumstances in which governments should stand behind government ministers in any legal action; I’m not wholly convinced this is one of them.”

The LibDems have called for a Cabinet Office inquiry into Donelan. LibDem depute leader Daisy Cooper MP said: "The public will be shocked to read reports that Michelle Donelan's department may have used taxpayer funds to cover her damages and legal costs in this case.

"People deserve answers and not yet another Conservative cover up. A Cabinet Office inquiry is urgently needed to get to the bottom of exactly what happened, whether any rules were broken and how much public money was spent."

A DSIT spokesperson said: “There is an established precedent under multiple administrations that ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a minister, as was the case here.

“The Secretary of State received the appropriate advice from relevant officials at all times.

“A sum of £15,000 was paid without admitting any liability. This approach is intended to reduce the overall costs to the taxpayer that could result from protracted legal action, no matter what the result would have been.”