NUS Press Officer throws a paddy at student journalist 15 years younger than him

A budding journalist from the London Student  received a dressing down from a press officer for being “dishonest” and “childish”.

The press officer, probably at least 15 years his elder, called him out for publishing an article that included “off the record” quotes.

The article reported that the NUS press office were not passing media questions onto Malia Bouattia’s Presidential campaign, even following her successful election and that it might imply that NUS paid staff were favouring some candidates over Malia- a clear breach of protocol. The NUS press office has yet to refute the allegations that have been made.

Two reporters from London Student have stated that there had been no such agreement for the conversation to be ‘off the record’ despite what the NUS Press Office have claimed.

The press officer in question has yet to be named

James Andrew-Smith, the journalist in question has told The Tab: “The Officer came up to me after we put up the article, he said what we were doing was stupid and that I was being childish…I understand why he did it, he was hoping I would be embarrassed enough to pull the article”

“It was a scary moment, and I was a bit shaken. Clearly it’s considered OK to criticise students at NUS conference but not the staff. But the principle is the same, we need to hold people who say they are working for students to account…I just wanted to make sure protocol was followed.”

Allegations suggest that the NUS Press Office had a negative bias to Malia Bouattia

This has brought serious questions about the accountability of NUS staff who are unelected and in this case have resorted to intimidating behaviour when confronted by allegations that puts them in a negative light.

The NUS press office have been approached but have not commented.