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St Andrews rector removed from role after Gaza 'genocide' email

University of St Andrews Stella Maris in hallway with stone pillarsUniversity of St Andrews
Ms Maris said she would not apologise for her comments about the Israeli government

St Andrews University's rector has been removed from her role on the university court in a row over comments she made on the Israel-Gaza war.

Stella Maris sent an email to all students referring to "genocidal attacks" by the Israeli government, shortly after she was elected in October.

An investigation found she had "breached her responsibilities" to students, but Ms Maris said it set a "dangerous precedent for freedom of speech".

She will no longer sit as president the university court - its highest governing body - but will remain in a pastoral care role for students.

Ms Maris, a former St Andrews student, will retain the title and office of rector until her term expires in October 2026.

The university said the decision came after she repeatedly declined to accept the conclusion of an independent investigation into her comments.

It found she had made some students “fear for their safety” and failed in her responsibilities and legal obligations as a court member.

But Ms Maris said her removal showed "a lack of respect" for the rector's role in speaking independently for students.

She added: "It is clear that I have been removed from court because I called for an end to Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians, and I will not apologise for doing so.

"As a young, neurodiverse Black woman with limited financial resources, I have faced the full force of the university, including a KC investigation, all because I made a statement supported by the overwhelming majority of students, calling for an end to a genocide."

University of St Andrews buildings behind grass lawn
The University of St Andrews is one of the oldest in the UK

Chair of the university court Ray Perman, said Ms Maris was in "serious and persistent breach of her responsibilities" after emailing all 10,000 St Andrews students with her personal opinions on the Gaza conflict.

He added: "We recognise that parts of the rector’s statement were an important source of comfort to students affected by the conflict in Gaza.

“We also wish to stress most explicitly that the rector has never been asked to diminish or change her support of the Palestinian cause, only to acknowledge that in her handling of this matter, she caused distress and fear to some students, whom it was her duty to support and represent."

University principal Prof Dame Sally Mapstone, said: "We can disagree passionately on the most difficult issues, but it should always be with courtesy and respect for those whose views may differ from our own."

Members of the university court are also automatically trustees of the university - a registered charity. Ms Maris also had her trustee status removed.

Ms Maris, who previously studied English and philosophy at St Andrews, served in a series of student representation roles before she was elected rector by students in October last year.