Union scraps no confidence motion against president Ben Sullivan

Some three hundred students packed out the Union chamber this evening to debate a no confidence motion against president Ben Sullivan.

Ben Sullivan was arrested earlier this month in connection with alleged rape and attempted rape. He has been released on bail without charge.

The motion “This House has no confidence in the president, Benjamin Sullivan, Christ Church” was hotly debated but finally scrapped with those present deciding that the motion should not be voted on at all.

The decision was made by a voting margin of 254 to 101 after students raised concerns that a motion of no confidence could affect Sullivan’s right to a fair trial. This evening’s vote was therefore a vote to not vote on a non confidence motion. Rather, it scrapped the motion altogether, after suggestions that it was not a topic that students should vote on.

The motion was proposed by Aleksy Gaj and students speaking in support of the motion included Annie Teriba. Teriba stated that Sullivan had “brought the Union in to disrepute”.

Those who spoke against  the motion included Mayank Banerjee who is the preisdnet elect for Michaelmas term, and who has been acting as President in Sullivan’s absence for much of this term. He said, “some of the methods this campaign [to boycott the Union] have been using have been completely unacceptable”.

Inigo Lapwood proposed that the chamber should hold a vote as to whether the Union should be allowed to debate the motion at all.

Sullivan was not present at the debate amid concerns that commenting on the issue could amount to contempt of court relating to the current allegations against him. It is understood that he remained in the near by vicinity for the debate. A prepared speech by Sullivan was read out to the chamber.

It is not yet known if a further vote of no confidence will be tabled.