Latest news with #StellaMaris
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Isle of Man TT: 'I've opened my garden to TT fans for 20 years'
A motorcycling enthusiast who has been opening his garden to Isle of Man TT fans for more than 20 years said he was keen to continue the "local tradition" for the town after moving Kinrade owns Stella Maris, a house just below the hairpin in Ramsey, which overlooks the racing has been opening it up to members of the public since 2004 because it was something the previous owners had done and he did not want "to break a local tradition". Tens of thousands of race fans visit the island for the annual two-week event held on 37.7-miles (61km) of closed public roads. Starting from the Grandstand in Douglas, the course takes a clockwise route through to Glen Vine, Glen Helen, Kirk Michael, Sulby and Ramsey, before heading over the Mountain Road back to Glencrutchery Road in Douglas. While Mr Kinrade's spot in the south of Ramsey was "very quiet most of the year", TT was "a different proposition" and he had "the most friends I've ever had" during the two-week said he felt it was important the garden remained open to any fans that wanted to take advantage of the garden, rather than being restricted to friends and span of the garden offers different views of the action, from seeing the riders emerge from May Hill to watching the machines approach the sharp hairpin bend on their climb onto the famous mountain course. Mr Kinrade said both locals and visiting fans from all over the world would "come back year after year" to the enjoying the vantage point over the years had ranged from would range from "die hard motorcycling fans" to young families, and everyone always left the garden "as they found it", he up in Ramsey himself, he said he knew the viewing spot from a young age and since buying the house in 2004 its renovation had been a "labour of love". He would not be stopping the access any time soon, he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
The National
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish university rector speaks out after winning appeal over Gaza dismissal
Stella Maris lost her formal powers in the governing body of St Andrews University last year following a backlash over comments she made in 2023, where she claimed that Palestinians had been subjected to 'practices such as apartheid, siege (and) illegal occupation'. The university's bosses decided to keep in place her removal from the governing body and her role as a trustee despite an independent investigation, led by Morag Ross KC, concluding that removing Maris from her roles was 'disproportionate". Maris has now won an appeal against the decision and told The National she 'fundamentally disagrees' with the assertion from university bosses that the punishment dealt to her was not about free speech and 'only ever about governance'. 'I've always said it is a freedom of speech issue and considering the outcome that we have seen I think it is fair to question the methods and communications they used to justify a decision that was ultimately overturned,' she said. READ MORE: Gaza Freedom Flotilla issues SOS after alleged drone strike near Malta 'I fundamentally disagree with the assertion that it was not a freedom of speech issue. It wasn't adjudicated on those terms officially, but I think the public and the media coverage and the way it was received has made it clear a lot of the wider public see it as I do, as an attack on freedom of speech and expression.' Maris was dismissed from the governing body at St Andrews and lost her role as a trustee after she sent an email to all students referring to "genocidal attacks" by the Israeli government, shortly after she was elected as rector in October 2023. An investigation said that it would be 'disproportionate' to dismiss Maris from the governing body, but the university court said it had acted because Maris repeatedly declined to accept Ross's conclusions which suggested she had made some students 'fear for their safety'. Maris launched a fundraiser to appeal against the decision and this week, former LibDem leader and university chancellor Menzies Campbell ruled in her favour. Maris has opened up to The National about 'the sense of isolation' she felt in fighting university bosses with limited resources at her disposal, adding she felt she had to hide this vulnerability for fear of appearing weak against an 'incredibly powerful' institution. 'It's been very difficult and even now it's difficult to communicate the struggle that has been the last year and a half,' said Maris. (Image: Supplied) 'During that time I just had to keep moving forward no matter what happened so I didn't have time to sit down and focus on the implications for my mental health and wellbeing. 'They were definitely there, but in a position like this, especially when going up against an incredibly powerful institution with seemingly unlimited resources to my none, I felt like I couldn't show signs of weakness because I thought they would be exploited. 'The sense of isolation, the disparaging comments I received and emails from people who felt empowered to criticise me [did impact me], particularly the racist and misogynistic comments that came out, people saying I was clearly a DI [diversity and inclusion] hire and I should be deported. 'Even now people have gotten an impression of my behaviour from that time that is inaccurate and so still feel justified in saying this is a fluke. It is not and I'm excited to get back to supporting and ensuring the good governance of the institution that I care deeply about.' READ MORE: Scottish Labour gains have been 'largely lost', says polling expert Asked about why she felt she needed to highlight her views on Israel's assault on Gaza, Maris said she wanted to establish a platform for those who did not have a voice. Maris gained support from students on campus, more than 500 academics from universities across 17 countries, the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom, and the University College Union (UCU), all calling for her reinstatement. When she was dismissed from the governing body, she said she felt there was a perception from some that the issue could be 'swept under the rug' but she was determined to fight. 'I really hope it does send a message that it is not as easy as some might have thought to silence certain voices,' she went on. 'I did not have access to the same level of resources [as the university], I felt very isolated during that time, and I do think there was an expectation that through some perception of my vulnerability as an individual with limited resources, that it would be a simple matter of sweeping it under the rug. 'But I think every time I said no and didn't allow the pressure campaign to work, it was with the understanding in my head that I maintain my view and I am on the right side of history." She added: 'Regardless of anything else there is no justification for the starvation of millions of people, for the slaughter of thousands of children, and it does not make someone a terrorist supporter to point that out, to point out the implications of international law, but also to express solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement.' St Andrews University said following this week's ruling that the university court is 'carefully considering the Chancellor's decision and taking advice from counsel'. It added: 'This issue was never about free speech and only ever about governance. Ms Maris remains rector of the university and has done so throughout.' The university has been contacted for further comment.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
St Andrews University rector ‘vindicated' over Gaza comments
A university rector removed from her institution's governing body for speaking out about the situation in Gaza has said her success in an appeal against the decision is a 'vindication' and a 'defence of the fundamental principles of free expression'. Stella Maris launched the appeal after St Andrews University last year removed her from her role as president of the court – the institution's 'supreme governing body' – and informed her she would no longer be a charity trustee for the university. The university took action after Ms Maris made a statement in November 2023 condemning Israel's 'genocidal attacks' on Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire. Ray Perman, chairman of the university court, said at the time it had concluded she was 'in serious and persistent breach of her responsibilities and can no longer sit as president'. However St Andrews University chancellor, former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Campbell, has now upheld an appeal by Ms Maris, overturning the university court's decision to dismiss her from the court and remove her status as a trustee. In a personal statement following the decision, Ms Maris said: 'This decision is not only a vindication of my position but a defence of the fundamental principles of free expression and democratic accountability within our universities. ' Universities must remain places where individuals are free to speak out against injustice, especially where that speech is grounded in humanitarian concern and moral conscience in line with the principles of international human rights.' She said she is 'grateful to the many students, academics, and members of the public who stood in solidarity with me over the past months'. Ms Maris added: 'I intend to continue campaigning to ensure the right to political expression and academic freedom.' A St Andrews University spokesperson said: 'As the body that made the decision to dismiss the rector, university court is carefully considering the chancellor's decision and taking advice from counsel. 'This issue was never about free speech and only ever about governance. Ms Maris remains rector of the university and has done so throughout.'
Scotsman
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
St Andrews University rector on 'vindication' after successful appeal of Gaza quotes punishment
The University of St Andrews rector has been successful in an appeal after previously being removed from a key role on the institution's governing body Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A university rector removed from her institution's governing body for speaking out about the situation in Gaza has said her success in an appeal against the decision is a 'vindication' and a 'defence of the fundamental principles of free expression'. Stella Maris launched the appeal after St Andrews University last year removed her from her role as president of the court – the institution's 'supreme governing body' – and informed her she would no longer be a charity trustee for the university. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad St Andrews University chancellor, former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Campbell, has now upheld an appeal by Stella Maris (inset) The university took action after Ms Maris made a statement in November 2023 condemning Israel's 'genocidal attacks' on Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire. Ray Perman, chairman of the university court, said at the time it had concluded she was 'in serious and persistent breach of her responsibilities and can no longer sit as president'. However St Andrews University chancellor, former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Campbell, has now upheld an appeal by Ms Maris, overturning the university court's decision to dismiss her from the court and remove her status as a trustee. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad St. Andrews University | Getty Images/iStockphoto In a personal statement following the decision, Ms Maris said: 'This decision is not only a vindication of my position, but a defence of the fundamental principles of free expression and democratic accountability within our universities. 'Universities must remain places where individuals are free to speak out against injustice, especially where that speech is grounded in humanitarian concern and moral conscience in line with the principles of international human rights.' She said she is 'grateful to the many students, academics, and members of the public who stood in solidarity with me over the past months'. Ms Maris added: 'I intend to continue campaigning to ensure the right to political expression and academic freedom.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A St Andrews University spokesperson said: 'As the body that made the decision to dismiss the rector, university court is carefully considering the chancellor's decision and taking advice from counsel.
The National
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
St Andrews rector wins appeal after Gaza dismissal
Stella Maris lost her formal powers in the governing body last year following a backlash over comments she made in 2023, where she claimed that Palestinians had been subjected to 'practices such as apartheid, siege (and) illegal occupation'. The institution's bosses decided to keep in place her removal from the governing body and her role as a trustee despite independent investigation led by Morag Ross KC concluding that removing Maris from her roles at St Andrews University was 'disproportionate". St Andrews University (Image: PA) Maris launched a fundraiser to appeal the decision in March, with the university's chancellor Menzies Campbell ruling in her favour on April 29. Speaking after the ruling, Maris said: 'This decision is not only a vindication of my position but a defence of the fundamental principles of free expression and democratic accountability within our universities. READ MORE: 'F***ing hell': LBC journalist exasperated as caller brings up Gaza genocide 'Universities must remain places where individuals are free to speak out against injustice, especially where that speech is grounded in humanitarian concern and moral conscience in line with the principles of international human rights. 'I am grateful to the many students, academics, and members of the public who stood in solidarity with me over the past months. I intend to continue campaigning to ensure the right to political expression and academic freedom.' Maris gained support from students on campus, more than 500 academics from universities across 17 countries, the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom, and the University College Union (UCU) – all calling for her reinstatement. Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: 'This is an important victory for all students and academic staff. From Trump in the US to repressive actions by some universities in Britain, it shows that those seeking to silence support for Palestinian human rights will not succeed. 'PSC has proudly supported Rector Stella Maris in her fight against attempts to undermine freedom of expression and academic freedom, both of which should be cornerstones of university life. 'The University of St Andrews and other universities should be speaking up for international law and human rights, not trying to shield Israel from accountability for its escalating genocidal violence against Palestinians.' READ MORE: John Swinney urged to 'speak out' on pro-Israeli artists after Kneecap comments Tasnima Uddin, from the European Legal Support Center, said: 'This victory is a clear rebuke to the growing pattern of repression facing those who speak out for Palestinian freedom. 'For 570 days, Israel has carried out a genocide in Gaza, targeting universities, hospitals, and civilians, yet St Andrews chose to punish its Rector for calling for a ceasefire. 'This case shows the disturbing pattern of Zionist lobby groups' use of legal threats, coordinated smear campaigns, and institutional pressure to dox and intimidate Palestine solidarity in academia, but also show the cowardice of universities to stand up against those pressures and protect the fundamental rights of their staff and students. 'The reinstatement of Stella Maris proves that the attempt to quash this mass movement will not succeed and legal means will continue to be used to challenge censorship, defend fundamental rights, and expose the complicity in Israeli apartheid and settler-colonial violence.' A St Andrews University spokesperson said: 'As the body that made the decision to dismiss the Rector, University Court is carefully considering the Chancellor's decision and taking advice from Counsel. 'This issue was never about free speech and only ever about governance. Ms Maris remains Rector of the University and has done so throughout.'
