Newcastle University lecturer faces backlash after attending Tommy Robinson rally

An academic at Newcastle University has come under fire after being filmed participating in a political “Unite the Country” rally organised by Tommy Robinson in October 2024.

Dr Helen Adamson, PGR Co-Director in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) at Newcastle University, can be heard in the clip, filmed by PoliticsJoe, saying: “As a Christian I’m beginning to feel persecuted. I’m beginning to feel like I’m losing my freedom of speech. There’s things I can’t say, I can say something that’s just opinion and it might be accused for instance of being Islamophobic.”

Dr Adamson continued: “I’m concerned about things like the media who label Tommy Robinson as far right and racist and I don’t think he is. I don’t know the man but I’ve listened to what he’s said and I’ve never heard him incite violence, I’ve only heard him ask for peace.

“I’ve never heard him say anything racist, he’s got lots of friends from overseas of different skin colours and so that kind of that bias and that propaganda, I find that really scary.”

@politicsjoeThis woman at a far right rally says that shes persecuted because she’s a christian♬ original sound – PoliticsJOE

Tommy Robinson is a British anti-Islam campaigner and one of the UK’s most prominent far-right activists, founding the English Defence League (EDL) back in 2009 with his cousin Kevin Carroll. Robinson described the EDL, shortly after it was founded, as being “against the rise of radical Islam”.

Most Read

From £60k to £1.5million: How much the I’m A Celeb 2024 campmates are being paid

Right, here’s how popstar priest Reverend Richard Coles made his secretly whopping fortune

Tulisa ‘raging’ about I’m A Celeb axe and has wiped all evidence of the show from her Insta

The video has been shared widely across Instagram and TikTok. Across platforms, there are over 600,000 views and 6,000 comments to date.

The footage has triggered widespread condemnation, leading to an open letter signed by over 100 students, staff, and alumni calling for the university to take action.

The letter reads: “As students at Newcastle University, we are deeply disturbed by Dr Adamson’s actions. Her public association with a figure known for inciting hatred and discrimination against a specific religious group is incompatible with the values of equality, diversity, inclusivity, and respect that underpin a leading academic institution like ours. The views she has expressed are prejudiced against people of Muslim faith, are deeply hurtful, and equally do not align with the university’s values.”

Explaining how Dr Adamson’s position requires her to “act as a pastoral leader, providing support and guidance to a diverse community of postgraduate researchers from various cultural and religious backgrounds”, the letter continued: “Her public statements and actions have undermined our trust in her ability to fulfil these responsibilities in a fair, impartial, and supportive manner.”

In the open letter, students have urged the university to “take immediate action” in response to this: “We must also acknowledge the impact that this interview has on the students who interact with Dr Adamson, especially in light of her pastoral remit.”

The letter requests Dr Adamson step down from her position as SNES PGR Co-Director: “We are requesting that Dr Adamson step down from her position as SNES PGR Co-Director in response to our expression of no confidence. Should this not be attainable, we wish for SNES PGRs to be able to opt out from having Dr Adamson representing them in her capacity as SNES PGR Co-Director. Instead, SNES PGRs should have the autonomy to request alternative representation.”

The open letter claims that “procedures have been followed” after this was raised to SNES Head of School, Andrew Benniston, “but this provides no clarity as to what has been done including any indication of action taken”.

Students requested to be informed about the results of the open letter: “We also request that the University proactively and transparently inform the student body with updates as to how this matter is being addressed, what support is available for those hurt by Dr Adamson’s actions and words, and how the University is able to ensure that students can work in an environment without hate and discrimination, especially in the academic body.”

A Newcastle University spokesperson said: “We respect the right to Freedom of Speech within the law and are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to express their ideas.

“We also ensure that support is available for those affected by views they find hurtful or distressing.

Tommy Robinson’s representatives and Dr Helen Adamson were both contacted for comment but have not yet responded.

Featured image via PoliticsJoe on YouTube